[PHOTO CREDIT: Lake County Sheriff’s Office]
[Original Publish Date: 10/18/19]
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LADY LAKE, Florida – A 19-year-old Belleview woman is facing armed robbery charges after she confessed to one robbery in Lake County and two in Marion County. A Lake County Sheriff’s detective was investigating an armed robbery that occurred Sunday at a Kangaroo convenience store in Lady Lake. The detective positively identified Ashley Helm, 19, in two lineups, based on surveillance footage.
The detective communicated with detectives in Marion County and found two robberies had occurred in Marion County close enough in time, proximity and modus operandi that it was believed they were related. On Wednesday, the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office notified LCSO they had a possible robbery and to BOLO (be on the lookout.) LCSO road patrol canvassed the area and a deputy and Lady Lake police officer spotted a black Dodge Charger, parked and running in a “suspicious manner” at Circle K on Lagrande Boulevard. The deputy entered the Circle K and saw Helm walking out. She was found with a .38 caliber handgun- concealed in her sports-bra that matched the description of a gun used in the recent robberies. Law enforcement also found a black mask consistent with one used in the robberies, in plain view inside the Charger.
Helms was taken the Lake County Sheriff’s Office to be interviewed by detectives with both Lake and Marion counties. She confessed to two robberies in Marion County and one in Lake County, according to the affidavit. She is being held at the Lake County Jail on $52,000 bond.
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Our Editor-in-Chief, Marilyn M. Aciego, began writing for Lake Legal News in 2010. In addition, 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]
