Titusville Police Identify Armed Robbery, Stabbing Suspect, Investigation Continues
By Space Coast Daily // November 21, 2015
suspect identified as Zachary Joseph Penna
UPDATE: NOV. 20, 2015 – 3:40 p.m.
BREVARD COUNTY • TITUSVILLE, FLORIDA – Zachary Joseph Penna, 23, of West Palm Beach, has been identified as the suspect in the Armed Robbery on Friday at 9:45 a.m. at Space Coast Regional Airport, according to Amy Matthews, Titusville Police Department Public Affairs Coordinator.
A warrant has been issued for Penna, with the following charges:
Attempted Felony Murder, Robbery With a Deadly Weapon, Attempted Carjacking with a Deadly Weapon, Armed Burglary of a Structure, Resisting an Officer with Violence, Use of a Deadly Weapon upon a Police Dog, and Aggravated Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer.
The suspect was found with a stolen black SUV from Green Acres, Florida.
The victim of the Armed Robbery, who has not been identified at this time, sustained serious lacerations and stab wounds. The victim’s identity is being withheld until family is notified.
Both the victim and suspect were airlifted to local hospitals for treatment and their conditions are currently unknown.
K9 Officer John Cantalupo, a 10-year veteran, has been identified by Matthews as the officer that discharged his weapon and struck the suspect. He is currently on Administrative Leave With Pay during the investigation.
K9 Police Dog, Jack, a 3-year old Belgian Malinois, is recovering from a stab wound after being treated at a local veterinary hospital.
According to Matthews, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating this officer-involved shooting and Titusville Police Detectives are investigating the Armed Robbery and Stabbing.
Brevard County Sheriff’s CIS team is assisting Titusville Police CIS with all evidence collection and Detectives are working with other agencies to see if the suspect is involved in any other incidents.
This is an ongoing and active criminal investigation.
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ORIGINAL STORY: NOV. 20, 2015 – 11 a.m.
One Shot, One Stabbed In Incident Near Space Coast Regional Airport In Titusville
BREVARD COUNTY • TITUSVILLE, FLORIDA – The Titusville Police responded to a report of an Armed Robbery on Perimeter Road on Friday at about 9:45 a.m. in the southeast corner of the Space Coast Regional Airport.
According to the Titusville police, the preliminary investigation reveals the following:
Officers arriving on scene discovered an adult male victim, a contractor working on airport property, had been stabbed by an adult male suspect.
A Titusville Police K-9 Unit confronted the suspect, and during the confrontation the police dog was stabbed by the suspect. The K-9 officer discharged his firearm to stop the deadly threat.
The K-9 officer was uninjured in the incident. The police dog was treated at a local veterinary hospital and is expected to survive his injuries.
The robbery victim was transported to the hospital with serious injuries.
The suspect was transported to the hospital for treatment and his condition is unknown at this time. Investigators have information that he is actively being sought by another agency in a homicide case.
This is an active crime scene and investigation.
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ABOVE MAP: The Titusville Police responded to a report of an Armed Robbery on Perimeter Road on Friday at about 9:45 a.m. in the southeast corner of the Space Coast Regional Airport.
