HERNANDO BEACH — Authorities arrested one suspect and were looking for three others Monday in connection with a robbery Sunday night at the observation tower at Linda Pedersen Park.
Jaime Angel Marquez, 19, of 4369 Candler Ave., Spring Hill, was charged with armed robbery, grand theft auto and violation of probation. He was being held without bail Monday at the Hernando County Jail.
The victims, a man and a woman who are not being named by the Times because suspects remained at large, were on the upper level of the observation tower about 10:20 p.m. Sunday when they were approached, according to a Sheriff's Office report.
One of the suspects pulled out a gun, the report stated, pointed it at the man's head and ordered him to lie down. The suspects took the keys to the man's 1992 BMW. Also taken were the woman's cell phone, purse and sweatshirt.
After the suspects fled, the victims, who were not injured, shouted across Shoal Line Boulevard to people fishing at Jenkins Creek Park who then attempted to pursue the suspects.
The suspects crashed the car at Shoal Line Boulevard and Wimberly Court, and Marquez then jumped into the Weeki Wachee River, according to authorities. He was arrested about 10:40 p.m. after emerging from the river and asking a resident on Waverly Road for a ride.
The other suspects could not be located. Marquez was on probation for a previous armed robbery charge, the Sheriff's Office said.
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