FORT MYERS, Fla. (CBS12) — An undocumented 12-year-old is accused of targeting other minors in back-to-back armed robberies, threatening victims with a knife.
Deputies with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office say that on the evening of December 12, they recieved a call reporting an armed robbery at Schandler Hall Community Park in Fort Myers.
Upon arrival, deputies say they spoke with the victim, who said he was walking near the train tracks when the suspect, 12-year-old Pedro Luis, emerged from the bushes, pointed a small knife at him, and said, “Give me your shoes.”
The victim allegedly pushed Luis and ran home. As he ran, he felt something hit his back, only to turn around and see that Luis had vanished.
The K9 units and air units searched for the suspect to no avail.
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But shortly after the report, LSO recieved another call for a robbery with a weapon near the location of the first attempted robbery.
In the second incident, the victim told deputies that Luis rode up on a bicycle, pulled a knife, and threatened to stab her if she didn’t comply, before taking her Sprayground backpack that contained expensive cologne, her middle school-issued laptop, clothing, and AirPods.
On December 15, a detective recieved an anonymous tip identifying the suspect as 12-year-old Luis. A records search revealed the 12-year-old had multiple arrests beginning in 2024.
Using a photo line-up, the victims identified Luis as the person who robbed them, according to the criminal probable cause affidavit.
In a shocking detail, the second victim showed deputies a post from Luis’ social media account of him with the backpack; however, the account has since been wiped and deleted.
LSO deputies put out an agency-wide “be on the lookout” for Luis after an attempt to locate him was unsuccessful.
On Friday, deputies arrested Luis at his home and transported him to Jail for processing, where he was immediately held on an immigration hold and was reported to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Court records show Luis faces two felony counts of armed robbery.