Undercover FL Deputy Survived Armed Robbery Attempt

RIVERVIEW, FL — A Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office detective survived being armed at gunpoint during an undercover operation on Friday, according to a news release from the agency.

Detectives with the Special Investigations Division Gang Unit communicated with a social media user that day. The user solicited the detectives for the purchase of THC vape pens, marijuana and Oxycodone, the sheriff’s office said.

An undercover transaction was arranged and detectives met the suspects at the Reflections Apartment Complex in Riverview.

Two people, later identified as 18-year-old Christopher Samuels and a 17-year-old boy, approached the detective and pulled out guns, threatening him. They pressed the weapons against the detective’s body and demanded his cash, the sheriff’s office said.

After robbing him, they tried to steal the vehicle, but ran from the area on foot when their attempt was unsuccessful.

The 17-year-old was found and arrested at his sister’s home in Tampa. He has a prior criminal history, including 26 previous delony arrests, 10 misdemeanor arrests and an active juvenile pickup order at the time of the armed robbery.

He was charged with armed carjacking, robbery with a firearm, minor in possession of a firearm, armed burglary of a conveyance and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

Though deputies named the suspect, it’s Patch policy not to name minors accused of a crime unless they’ve been charged as an adult. It’s unknown whether he has been charged as a juvenile or an adult.

Samuels was arrested in Auburndale with assistance from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Aburndale Police Department and the Florida Highway Patrol.

He has prior arrests for battery on a law enforcement officer and is currently a suspect in other felony cases.

He was arrested after the armed robbery for armed carjacking, robbery with a firearm, armed burglary of a conveyance and possession of a firearn during the commission of a felony.

See Also:

• Unlicensed Contractor Who Stole From Hurricane Ian Victims Sentenced: FL State Attorney
• Bradenton Mother Charged With DUI Drove 4 Times Legal Limit On I-275: Reports
• Pet Store Has Dealer Permit Revoked For Violations: Pinellas County Officials
• FEMA Fraud Charge Filed Against Tampa Bay-Area Woman: U.S. DOJ

A third suspect, Ce’Dreon Davis, 18, was later identified as the getaway driver, the sheriff’s office said.

Surveillance footage showed him picking up the two other teens shortly after the robbery.

Davis was arrested and charged as an accessory to armed carjacking, robbery with a firearm and armed burglary of a conveyance.

“In a split second, this incident could have ended in tragedy,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said. “The fact that our detective walked away unharmed is nothing short of a miracle. 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.”

• Get The Latest Local News (For Free!) With One Quick Tap