The group of Broward County men suspected in the string of Dunkin’ Donuts robberies last week will be needing a Broward criminal attorney soon. Last night, two young Fort Lauderdale men were arrested at a Broward Sheriff’s Office police checkpoint in Port Everglades. The two men had driven from Fort Lauderdale with their girlfriends to board a Discovery cruise line ship to the Bahamas. Tharod Bell, 23, and Charles Faustin, 18, were huddled in the backseat of a silver Honda. A Broward Sheriff’s Office aide recognized the pair from a wanted poster and engaged the group in conversation until an armed deputy arrived to assist her. The men were apparently en route to escape to the Bahamas, although they provided their real names at the checkpoint. The Bahamas has an extradition treaty with the United States, making it an imperfect haven for fugitives.
Previously, three other Broward County suspects were arrested, including Calvin Weatherspoon, 20, of the Lauderdale Lakes area, Jonathan Jackson, 23, and James Herard, 19, who are both residents of Lauderhill. All five of the Fort Lauderdale area criminal suspects arrested are expected to be charged soon and will be entitled to representation from a Broward criminal lawyer.
Broward County police believe the five men are behind four armed robberies in Broward County and Broward County last week. The first robbery occurred in at a Dunkin Donuts in Delray Beach, in which five bystanders were shot. The four men wore masks to conceal their identities. Two men, also wearing masks, robbed a Dunkin’ Donuts in Tamarac, near Fort Lauderdale, the following night. One bystander was shot and remains in critical condition at an area hospital. A Dunkin’ Donuts in Sunrise was also robbed at gunpoint, and although no bystanders were shot, one person was injured after being hit on the head with a gun. Finally, the a Pompano Beach 7-Eleven robbery on November 26 is believed to be the most recent of the string of south Florida armed robberies. Police believe the crimes were committed for fun rather than significant monetary gain, as none were particularly lucrative. Additionally, the armed robbers shot patrons for no apparent reason, even when they were cooperating with demands. Broward and Fort Lauderdale authorities are continuing to investigate, but the five men are believed to be responsible for all of the crimes. Each will need the services of an experienced Fort Lauderdale criminal lawyer.
At this point, Broward officials believe that 19-year-old Herard was the sole or primary gunman. It is unclear at this point if Herard is represented by a criminal defense attorney, but he reportedly made a statement to police that the “has no soul.” All five indicated to police that they are gang members and officials are investigating numerous other crimes to determine if the suspects are tied to any other unsolved crimes in the Broward-Fort Lauderdale-Fort Lauderdale area.
Our Fort Lauderdale criminal lawyer has experience in a wide range of criminal defense situations and a great trial record. An arrest can damage all aspects of your life, including your employment prospects and custody and visitation of your children. If you have been charged with a crime in Florida, contact William Moore, P.A., which is an experienced Fort Lauderdale criminal law firm with offices in Fort Lauderdale-Dade, Broward, and Fort Lauderdale Counties.
This article should be used for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice.