Three Spring Hill teens, ages 13, 16 and 17, charged with two armed robberies

Three wayward youths that were taken into custody in connection with a May 12 armed robbery of a taxi driver were also charged in connection with a second armed robbery that was reported a day earlier on May 11 in Spring Hill, Florida.  During the investigation of the May 12 armed robbery incident, detectives obtained information that the three juveniles were also responsible for the May 11 armed robbery of a food delivery driver.

The juveniles arrested in connection with armed robbery of the taxi driver were previously identified as Kylee Champagne, 16, Michael Nazario, 13,  and Giovanni Pereira, 17.

In the armed robbery of the food delivery driver, the victim advised she responded to a residence on Yorkshire Avenue in Spring Hill to deliver food.  Two teenage males later identified as Nazario and Pereira met the delivery driver at the front of the residence. One of the suspects later identified as Pereira displayed a handgun while demanding money from the driver.

The two teens took the money and two orders of chicken wings and fled the area on foot.

Evidence at the scene led deputies to a residence on Chamber Court where Champagne resides. This investigation, which did not result in an arrest at the time, occurred prior to the armed robbery of a taxi driver that occurred the following day on May 12.

Investigation revealed the three juveniles had pooled their money together to purchase two handguns online for the purpose of robbing individuals at gunpoint.  The juveniles committed two armed robberies using the handguns they had purchased.

Pereira and Nazario were each charged with one count of Armed Robbery in connection with the incident involving the food delivery driver. Champagne was charged with Conspiracy to Commit Armed Robbery.

Pereira is currently detained at the Hernando County Detention Center on a $100,000 bond. Champagne is also being held at the detention center in lieu of $110,000 bond.

Nazario remains at a Department of Juvenile Justice facility in Ocala.

Regarding the May 12 robbery, at 10:18 p.m., Hernando County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the 4600 block of Chamber Court in Spring Hill for a report of an armed robbery of a taxi driver.  The victim told deputies he was hired to transport three individuals from a residence on Chamber Court to the Taco Bell located at 11140 Spring Hill Drive.

The three juveniles were later identified as Kylee Champagne, Michael Nazario, and Giovanni Pereira.

When the taxi driver pulled up to the house, he was met by the three teenagers.  Once inside the vehicle, the victim drove a short distance before one of the juveniles asked the driver to stop so one of them could retrieve their cell phone. All three juveniles exited the taxi. Champagne then proceeded to display a handgun and demand money from the taxi driver.

In fear for his life, the taxi driver gave Champagne all of the money in his pockets.  The three juveniles then ran into a nearby wooded area. A K9 and the Aviation Unit were called in to assist in locating the suspects.

K9 Justice and his handler Cpl. S. Miller were quickly able to locate all three juveniles and take them into custody. Deputies located two firearms in the backyard of Champagne’s home on Chamber Court.

The three juveniles were arrested, and each charged with one count of felony Armed Robbery. Champagne was also charged with Delinquent in Possession of a Firearm.

They were transported to the Hernando County Detention Center. Upon completion of processing, they were all three transported to the Department of Juvenile Justice facility in Ocala.

(Source: Hernando County Sheriff’s Office)

Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today   /   Follow Richard on Facebook and Twitter