[PHOTO CREDIT: Lake County Sheriff’s Office]
[Original Publish Date: 04/14/20]
SORRENTO, Florida — A man is in custody after a local convenience store was robbed for the second time in less than two weeks and one suspect is still on the loose.
Witnesses told Lake County Sheriff’s deputies two men robbed the Circle K, 25615 Sorrento Avenue, Sorrento just before 11 p.m. Saturday night. According to one witness, a man in a blue hoodie, jeans and a black leather-like mask ordered an employee to lie down and “give him the money.” Another man, later identified as Esequiel Flores De Jesus, held a customer on his knees at gunpoint before entering the store, according to an arrest affidavit. Another employee heard the commotion, turned on the camera system and called law enforcement.
The men took an undisclosed amount of money and fled. Another witness told deputies he believed the men were the same suspects who robbed the store on March 29.
Lake County Sheriff’s deputies utilized a drone in their search for the suspects, but were unsuccessful, according to the affidavit; a K-9 later apprehended De Jesus. He told deputies he received a call from another man who said he was hurting for money and since they have been laid off, they should rob a store for money. De Jesus said the duo then went to the store and committed the robbery; he said the other man used the gun and they ran out of the store, “but the other suspect was faster.”
De Jesus was charged with armed robbery and resisting arrest. He is being held in the Lake County Jail on $51,000 bond.
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Our Editor-in-Chief, Marilyn M. Aciego, began writing for Lake Legal News in 2010. Born and raised in Lake County, she is a graduate of Umatilla High School and Lake-Sumter State College. She started her journalism career at LSSC, where she was editor of both student publications, The Angler and The Odyssey. Her professional career began at the Daily Commercial in 2004 where she covered cops and courts the majority of her time there until she left in 2009. Currently, along with being Editor-in-Chief of Lake Legal News, she is the Florida bureau chief for an international media organization. She has made more than two dozen appearances on live national television, including Nancy Grace and the Greta Van Susteren show, along with her appearance on Evil Twins. Contact her with breaking news, tips, and feedback by sending an e-mail to 352Tips@gmail.com. You can also contact us on our Facebook page — and make sure you “Like” and “Follow us” there. [PHOTO CREDIT: Bonnie Whicher]
