WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – What began as a simple online marketplace transaction turned into a frightening attempted robbery Monday afternoon in Winter Haven, leading to the arrest of an 18-year-old man.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) reported that deputies responded to the Pinnacle Point neighborhood, located off Winter Lake Road (SR 540), at approximately 4:20 PM on Monday, April 14th.
According to investigators, a 16-year-old boy had arranged to meet 18-year-old Backley Gedeon of Bartow in the neighborhood to sell him a pair of Apple AirPods.
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However, when Gedeon arrived at the meeting spot, he was allegedly wearing a mask and had no intention of paying. Authorities say Gedeon attempted to forcibly take the AirPods from the teenage seller. The 16-year-old victim refused to surrender the items and fled the scene. Gedeon reportedly chased after the victim while holding what the victim believed was a firearm. Fortunately, the victim was able to get away safely.
Responding deputies located Gedeon nearby shortly after the incident, but he did not have a weapon on him at that time. Gedeon allegedly told deputies the item was merely an airsoft gun and admitted to getting rid of it after the attempted robbery.
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A PCSO K9 unit conducted a search of the area and successfully located the discarded airsoft gun. Deputies described the recovered item as “hyper-realistic,” noting its close resemblance to an actual firearm.
Backley Gedeon was arrested by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and booked into the Polk County Jail. He faces charges of Robbery with a Mask and Tampering with Physical Evidence.
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