Nike Shoes Lead to Conviction of Armed Robbery

May 25, 2022 Don Pumphrey, Jr. Criminal Defense, Theft/Property Crimes, Violent Crimes Social Share

Dealing with a robbery is a scary situation. The person robbed may lose their money, property, and feel a loss of safety. Robbery charges are taken very seriously in Florida, especially when there is a weapon involved. A person accused of armed robbery can face expensive fines and long-term imprisonment if convicted.

An armed robbery case from 2019 has just gone to trial, with the victim being a Florida attorney. A surveillance video and a pair of shoes have led to a guilty conviction, even though the defense believes it still isn’t enough evidence. We will cover the details of the case, along with a description of a robbery charge in Florida.

What was the Incident?

On February 11^th, 2019, Palm Beach Gardens attorney Robert Roemer was returning to his office just like any other day. However, this day was different when Roemer suddenly felt something poking into his back.

“I felt like the rifle poke me, and I turn around and the guy’s got—like it looked like some type of Soviet assault rifle,” Roemer told WSVN when the robbery first happened. “All of a sudden, the guy wasn’t saying anything. He just had this assault rifle.”

The alleged robber, Donavan Bell, then pushed Roemer’s arms as he frantically searched his pockets. The attorney ended up handing over his wallet—which only contained around $100—along with his Samsung Galaxy cell phone. After the robber fled, escaping into a black Toyota Camry.

After the robbery, Roemer called the police to explain what had happened. While on the phone with the police dispatcher, Roemer said, “Let’s catch him.”

The robbery ended up getting caught on video, from the parking garage’s surveillance cameras. In the video, the robber is holding a machine gun and specifically wearing a pair of black and white Nike Air Prestos.

Detectives from North Miami Beach finally found Bell, who had previously spent time in a Florida prison for a burglary conviction. During last week’s trial, the jury was shown a pair of Nike Air Prestos—which matched the ones on the robber in the surveillance video. In addition, Roemer stood on the witness stand and pointed out Bell as the man who robbed him.

Bell’s defense argued that a pair of shoes was not enough evidence to convict him. However, after the jury deliberated for an hour, they came to a decision and convicted Bell of armed robbery. Now the Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Jose Fernandez will be the one to sentence Bell.

Robbery in Florida

Under Florida Statute Section 812.13, a robbery occurs when

1. An individual takes or attempts to take the money or other property which may be the subject of larceny from the person or custody of another,
2. With the intent to temporarily or permanently depriving another individual of the property or money,
3. While in the course of taking there is the use of force, assault, or putting the other person in a state of fear.

If during the course of the robbery the alleged robber has a firearm or deadly weapon in their possession, then the robbery would be considered a first-degree felony. The punishment for a first-degree robbery felony can lead to up to a $10,000 fine or up to life in prison.

If the person committing the robbery did not carry a firearm, then the robbery is considered a second-degree felony. The punishment for a second-degree robbery felony can lead to up to a $10,000 fine or up to 15 years in prison.

What is Larceny? This is a type of theft crime where the person is taking the property of another without their consent and with the intention to permanently deprive them of the property. Larceny deals with movable property, such a personal property that can be carried away and is normally taken without the use of force, duress, or fear.

To find out more about the different forms of robbery and their penalties, you can read our page here.

Finding a Defense Attorney in Tallahassee, Florida

Getting accused of a crime is extremely serious, even more so when it is considered a violent crime like armed robbery. If you feel like you are backed into a corner with no help, reach out to a skilled defense attorney in your area. The criminal defense attorneys at Pumphrey Law Firm have experience representing clients for robbery charges, including armed robbery, carjacking, and home invasion robbery. To find out how we work towards fighting these criminal charges, contact our team for a free consultation today. Call (850) 681-7777 or leave an online message.

Written by Karissa Key

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