Fort Myers police arrested two teens in connection with robbing a family at gunpoint— including a 2-month-old baby— in September.
Terell Washington, 16, and Zi’Cari Miles, 17, are facing multiple counts of robbery with a firearm against the local taxi driver’s family.
A local taxi driver told police he received a message from an unknown Instagram account, later identified as Washington’s. Washington allegedly requested a ride and a series of stops around the county.
With his taxi out of service, the driver enlisted his other friend, also a driver, to fulfill the request. The second driver’s family came along, too.
According to police, the group drove Washington to several spots, where he reportedly made multiple sales before stopping at Eastwood Greens Apartments. There, Washington allegedly claimed he did not have enough money he promised to pay.
Washington allegedly said his friend would pay the rest.
That’s when Zi’Cari Miles is accused of entering the van and asking the driver to drive to a nearby gas station to take out cash. Before leaving the complex, Miles allegedly brandished a firearm and demanded money from the victims.
The victims told police they reportedly hesitated to comply until police say Miles threatened a 2-month-old child in the van, forcing them to surrender approximately $700 in cash.
After the robbery, Miles allegedly went inside in a blue Honda Accord, the same vehicle the victims had earlier identified.
Video surveillance and prior police interactions helped investigators quickly identify Washington and Miles. A follow-up investigation linked Washington’s social media and personal records to the suspect’s home address. Additional footage associated Miles as an accomplice.
Miles was taken into custody at the Eastwood Greens complex, and Washington was arrested soon after.
Both suspects are now facing multiple charges of robbery with a firearm.