JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Four people are facing charges after a string of armed robberies at Jacksonville Dollar General stores, Sheriff T.K. Waters announced during a press conference on Tuesday.
Waters described the robberies at four different dollar stores across the city as "targeted" and followed a "very specific pattern."
According to Waters, the suspects involved wore hoodies, masks, gloves and carry firearms, forcing employees leaving the stores after closing to go back inside and unlock safes.
"During each robbery, one suspect acted as a getaway driver, stationed outside the business in a white Dodge Charger," said Waters.
The sheriff referenced video store surveillance which showed the crimes that occurred.
The first of the robberies occurred at a store in the 5000 block of Fore Caroline Road on April 9, resulting in more than $2,300 stolen from the business.
Just five days later, a second armed robbery was committed at a store in the 1200 block of Yellow Bluff Road, with the same suspect vehicle stationed outside the business. More than $2,800 was stolen, Waters said.
"By the second dollar store armed robbery in April, JSO detectives established that there was a pattern forming, involving these robbery suspects in dollar stores," Waters said.
He added investigators contacted local dollar stores, warning the businesses to let their employees know about the crimes.
Waters said using an undisclosed technology and "great police work," investigators determined the suspected vehicle involved and potential suspects.
"Unfortunately, before JSO detectives could apprehend them, these suspects committed another dollar store armed robbery," said Waters.
The third robbery happened in the 1300 block of North Main Street on April 24, resulting in more than $3,000 stolen. The same white Dodge Charger was seen fleeing the scene, Waters said.
On May 1, a fourth store was robbed at gunpoint in the 3800 block of North Main Street. "Consistent with their established practice," three suspects forced an employee who was leaving the business, back inside at gunpoint to unlock the store's safe, Waters said.
The group stole more than $3,400.
"But this time, they didn't get far," Waters said, adding JSO SWAT officers quickly located and stopped the suspect's vehicle.
According to Waters, a SWAT member deployed a "distraction device" that detonated and was followed by a single shot fired by another officer which struck the vehicle. No one was hurt.
JSO Chief Alan Parker previously said during a news conference on May 1, that a suspect pointed a gun at an officer.
"That single shot fired is currently under administrative review," Waters said. "I can't really discuss the administrative review part, but we are looking into all that stuff."
Though, Waters did say, "The suspects could have lost their lives, and it would have been right for the police officers to be able to use force in that case."
He continued that there were innocent bystanders around at the time the shot was fired, and officers wanted to make sure no one was harmed.
"You hear the narrative around the country oftentimes, that, 'Police just want to kill people,' that's not the case," said Waters. "They could have easily used deadly force, but they took those suspects into custody. They took them into custody safely. No one was injured, which is good."
Ultimately, all four suspects were arrested and two handguns and a pistol were seized.
The following suspects face a first-degree felony armed robbery charge, according to arrest reports:
- Tresonda Benefield, 24.
- Nathanial Carter, 23.
- Jakeithiyan Daniel, 24.
- Jackeri Lewis, 26.
Waters said anyone ever in a situation where they are forced to do something at gunpoint, should comply.
"The best thing to do is comply, we don't want it escalating to where they lose their life. There is no amount of property worth your life," said Waters. "Allow us to do the work on the back end to catch the individuals that are responsible."
The latest armed robberies aren't the first crimes committed at Jacksonville Dollar General stores.
On Aug. 26, 2023, a racist gunman stormed a Dollar General store on Kings Road, killing three Black people before killing himself.
The deadly shooting prompted the loved ones of the victims to file a lawsuit against the shooter's estate and Dollar General, citing negligence due to a lack of security at the store.
The mugshots for the suspects are provided below.
