WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Two people are in custody after an armed robbery at an apartment and crashing into a pole midday Thursday, West Palm Beach police said.
Investigators said a call came in just after 11 a.m. for a robbery at an apartment located along Congress Avenue. Officers met with the victim who said he knew the suspects and they demanded his phone. When he refused, the victim said they pulled a rifle on him.
Police said the suspects, along with two women, left the scene in a red Volkswagen, but their vehicle was later spotted by officers on Australian Avenue.
Officials said there was no pursuit, but the suspects just drove north on Australian Avenue and later hit a lamppost.
One of the suspects, identified as Gordon Herisse, 24, who was driving the vehicle, got out of the car and ran into the parking lot of Roosevelt Elementary School.
Police said Herisse removed his ski mask before jumping over the courtyard gate, where he was quickly arrested.
Palm Beach County school officials said Roosevelt Elementary was placed on a precautionary lockdown while police made the arrest. Officers and their canines also did a sweep of the school for any weapons.
Police said Herisse was not armed while on school property. Officials said the only weapon found was a rifle in the car, which was reported stolen in Palm Beach County.
School officials said at no time was any student or staff in the area where the suspect was detained, and all students were safe.
A second suspect, Jonas Lockhart, was knocked out after the crash and was taken to St. Mary's Medical Center with the three others before being detained.
Police said Herisse and Lockhart are previous felons.
The two women in the back of the vehicle were detained, but they currently do not face any charges.
Herisse faces charges of robbery with a firearm, leaving the scene of a crash, resisting arrest, burglary of a structure and a felon in possession of a firearm.
Lockhart faces a charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm and resisting arrest.
