On Christmas Day, an incident at a 7-Eleven in Davenport, Florida, resulted in the armed robbery of a man by two suspects, who have since been apprehended by law enforcement.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office reported that the arrests of Christian Ayala and Najee Mears were made on December 31, 2024, following investigative efforts that traced the suspects to a residence they shared with Ayala’s mother. The discovery included the victim’s backpack and personal items, as well as marijuana found in the suspects’ rooms.
The victim, a visitor in the area, was at the 7-Eleven located on Finley Avenue to clean a coffee spill in his car when the crime took place around 5 p.m. Ayala and Mears reportedly arrived at the scene in a gray Honda Accord driven by Ayala. Mears confronted the victim with a gun, demanding his belongings with threats of violence, stating, ‘I will shoot you.’
Video surveillance obtained from the scene supported the victim’s account and helped deputies identify the vehicle linked to the suspects. Detectives later found the vehicle registered at a Davenport address where both suspects were later located.
Upon confrontation at the Sunny Day Way residence, Ayala and his mother cooperated with deputies. Ayala confessed to the crime alongside Mears, who initially resisted arrest by attempting to flee but eventually surrendered. Items recovered in the suspects’ rooms corroborated their involvement in the robbery, including the victim’s backpack, personal valuables, a substantial amount of marijuana, and a handgun in Mears’ possession.
At the time of the arrest, Ayala was noted to be on probation for marijuana possession, whereas Mears faced an outstanding warrant and prior felony charges in New Jersey. The swift action by law enforcement ensured the suspects’ detention, preventing further potential threats to community safety.
The effective investigation and subsequent arrest of Christian Ayala and Najee Mears demonstrate the importance of coordinated law enforcement efforts in addressing and resolving criminal activities swiftly. Both suspects now face legal proceedings, upholding justice and community safety.
Source: Fox13news
