TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A Hillsborough County Sheriff’s deputy was executing an undercover operation last week when things took a frightening turn.
An attempt at an undercover drug transaction unexpectedly escalated into an armed robbery when the individuals the detective was interacting with pulled out weapons.
Officials from HCSO reported that the detectives had been in contact with a person through social media who was dealing THC vape pens, marijuana, and Oxycodone. They set up a meeting with an undercover officer.
Dash camera video released by the department shows the detective pulling up alongside two teenagers and talking to them about the deal.
As the detective starts counting money to show them, both suspects draw guns and point them at the detective, telling him to get out of the car.
After handing over the money, the detective exited the vehicle, while the suspects continued to aim their weapons at him. As the detective walked away, the duo entered the car but decided against stealing it and hurriedly left the location instead.
One suspect, 17-year-old Daryl Cole, was found and arrested at his sister’s home in Tampa. HCSO said he has a long history of arrests and had an active juvenile pick-up order when this incident took place.
Cole was charged with armed carjacking, robbery with a firearm, minor in possession of a firearm, armed burglary and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
The second suspect, 18-year-old Christopher Samuels, was arrested in Auburndale with the help of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Highway Patrol. HCSO said he is currently a suspect in other felony cases, though they did not provide any details.
Samuels was charged with armed carjacking, robbery with a firearm, armed burglary and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
Surveillance video led detectives to a third suspect, 18-year-old Ce’Dreon Davis, who they said was acting as the getaway driver. He was charged as an accessory to armed carjacking, robbery with a firearm and armed burglary.
“The fact that our detective walked away unharmed is nothing short of a miracle,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said. “Our deputies put their lives on the line every single day to protect this community from the violent individuals who threaten it, and we will never stop pursuing justice.”
