2 Accused Of Robbing Woman At Gunpoint In Publix Parking Lot

SARASOTA, FL --Two people have been arrested in connection with the March 27 armed robbery of a woman in the parking lot of the Publix supermarket at Paradise Plaza, according to Sarasota police.

Genevieve Judge of the Sarasota Police Department said 24-year-old Quantevius Ghee of Tampa and 19-year-old Kylee Follett of Bradenton were arrested by Tampa police Tuesday. Ghee was charged with robbery with a firearm while Follett is charged with robbery with a firearm – principal.

"Video footage obtained by Sarasota Police Detectives confirmed a female and male were the two people inside the vehicle that fled from the armed robbery location," Judge explained. "The registered owner of the vehicle was located. An investigation revealed the female inside the vehicle was the registered owner’s daughter."

The incident happened around 10:30 a.m. in the parking lot of the store at 3825 South Osprey Ave.

"The victim told officers she was robbed at gunpoint and the suspect stole the victim’s purse," Judge said. "Most of the victim’s personal belongings were located a short time after the armed robbery happened."

Court documents said the woman had just placed her groceries on the passenger seat of her vehicle and was walking around to the driver's side when she was confronted by a male bandit armed with a handgun.

When she initially refused to hand over her purse, the man allegedly told the woman: "I'm going to shoot you in the face."

Ghee and Follett were being held at a jail in Hillsborough County. They were arrested on warrants at International Plaza Mall in Tampa.

To report a tip, call Detective Dan Riley of the Sarasota Police Department at 941-954-7062.