Two black teens who were identified as the suspects who violently forced the mayor of Sanford, Jeff Triplett to the ground early Saturday morning have been arrested, officials say. a 3rd black teen remains at large in the attack.
According to police investigators in the Central Florida city, Sanford Mayor Jeff Triplett was standing outside a friend’s home Saturday when he was forced to the ground by 18-year-old Jermine Horne and 17 year old Damarcus Paige, 2 black thugs who then threatened to kill him.
A third black teen was also an accomplice, but it’s not clear what his role was or if he will be charged with a crime. Certainly he should be charged as an accomplice no matter what.
Police say Horne and the 17-year-old were both armed. Most likely with stolen hand guns. No new gun legislation would have kept handguns out of these criminals possession. The duo is accused of stealing the mayor’s wallet with $300 in cash, two credit cards, a bank card and Triplett’s city identification card.
The two black teens are also accused of stealing the keys to Triplett’s 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML350 and using the vehicle as a getaway car. Charges are pending for reckless driving after they crashed the car in a police chase. We dont have a problem with racism in our country, we have a problem with the toxic culture within the black community in which black leaders,m including Obama, REFUSE to address!
Minutes after the robbery, a police officer spotted the car speeding away from the scene, an arrest report said.
The driver crashed the car and two suspects tried to run away, but with the help of a Seminole County Sheriff’s Office helicopter and a Lake Mary Police K-9 dog, Horne was caught first and the 17-year-old accomplice was found shortly after.
It is not clear if the third suspect was in the car when it crashed.
After they were arrested, Triplett identified the two as the suspects at the Sanford Police station. Both denied ever having weapons but a stolen handgun was found inside the wrecked Mercedes, an arrest report said.
“Being a victim of a crime is unnerving, yet it was reassuring to witness both speed and diligence from the Sanford Police Department,” Triplett said in a written statement. “It is disheartening when this type of crime takes place in the City of Sanford. I encourage the community, its businesses, and the Police Department to continue to work together and stop this type of violence.”
Triplett has been mayor since 2010.
Horne and the 17-year-old facing charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and carjacking with a firearm. Horne is also facing charges of contributing the delinquency of a minor.
The third suspect escaped. Police are asking for the communities help in finding that suspect.
Anyone with information about where whereabouts of the third suspect is asked to call Crimeline at 407-423-8477. All Crimeline callers can choose to remain anonymous.
Police are offering a $1,000 reward for any information that leads to an arrest.
