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Suspect Arrested In Donut King Robbery

SECOND SUSPECT SOUGHT

Courtesy photo

Marcellous Anthony Willis, 28, of Lake Placid, was charged with robbery of donut shop employee in Avon Park. Police arrested him less than two hours later.

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By Joe  Seelig | Highlands Today

Published: September 30, 2008

AVON PARK - A Lake Placid man remained in Highlands County Jail in lieu of $42,500 bond Tuesday, after he was charged as a suspect in the strong-arm robbery of the owner of Donut King.

The doughnut shop is located at 201 U.S. 27 S. in Avon Park.

Marcellous Anthony Willis, 28, of 125 Compass Ave., Lake Placid, was charged with robbery by sudden snatching, grand theft more than $300, possession of marijuana less than 20 grams and trespassing in an unoccupied structure.

Police reported that at 11:12 p.m. Saturday, they were called about a robbery in progress. A witness told police that two men wearing dark clothing had just robbed the victim in the parking lot and were running from the scene.

The men were seen running east on Camphor Street, approaching the intersection of Florida Avenue, the report stated.

As police Sgt. Brian Robinson approached the area from south of Desoto Avenue and Shaw Street, he spotted two men on foot who ran when they saw him. Their matching the description and their actions led him to believe they could be the suspects.

Police surrounded the area. Avon Park police officer Jose Molina and his K-9 partner Ringo were behind Highlands County Sheriff's Deputy Wayne Gunn and his K-9 partner Sarge, as they tracked one of men, later identified as Willis, said police Cmdr. Mike Rowan on Tuesday.

Willis reportedly was hiding in a shed behind a home in the 400 block of South Florida Avenue. Molina made the arrest, Rowan said.

The second suspect was still at large Tuesday.

When police returned to speak with the victim, she told them she had just closed the business and was walking to her car when she was grabbed from behind and her head was shoved forward. She told police the men grabbed two bags with an undisclosed amount of cash from her and ran, the report stated.

One of the bags also contained her cell phone, identification, keys to the store and miscellaneous papers, the arrest report stated.

Police reported Willis was found with a small quantity of marijuana on him hidden in his clothing.

Willis reportedly told police investigators he "messed up tonight," but when asked who was with him, he allegedly said, "I'm the one got caught, I have to deal with it," the report stated.

Police were still investigating, said Rowan.

Anyone with information about the robbery is asked to contact Avon Park police at 863-453-6622.

If anyone knows the identity of the second suspect, they can call Crime Stoppers toll free at 1-800-226-8477 or they can pull up our police department's Web site at http://avonparkpolice.com, which has a link to Crime Stoppers.

Joe Seelig can be reached at (863) 386-5834 or jseelig@highlandstoday.com

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