NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. — Pasco deputies have caught two of four suspects tied to violently robbing a teenager walking home from Gulf High School last week.
The Pasco Sheriff's Office announced the arrest of 21-year-old Austin Emanuel for robbery and aggravated battery on Thursday, February 28, and the arrest of 24-year-old Justin Kane Schreffler for robbery and aggravated battery with serious injuries on Saturday, March 2. Deputies continue to look for Schreffler's two brothers, Khristian and Trenton.
Authorities in Pasco County search for suspects in strong-armed robbery
Geoffrey Lehman says a group of men followed him home February 20 and jumped him just a couple blocks from his home in the Colonial Hills neighborhood of New Port Richey.
The entire crime was captured from several residential surveillance cameras.
“Every time I watch that video of my son being beat like that by four grown men it’s just heartbreaking and I cry every time," said Stephanie Byrd.
Investigators say clear video showing moments leading up to the attack was key in making the first arrest.
“There are so many of them now and they’re so much easier to obtain, so they’re lowering in cost and going up in prevalence in neighborhoods just for people’s own security," said Amanda Hunter with the Pasco Sheriff's Office.
They believe a teal Ford Ranger pickup truck seen in the surveillance video may have been painted gold.
Templar Contracting, Inc. is now offering a $500 reward for information leading to more arrests in the case.
“I just got sick to my stomach," said owner Joey Deeb. “We feel like it really hit home and my first thought was, if something like this happened to my child, I’d be very disturbed."
If you have any information on the whereabouts of the remaining two suspects, call the Pasco Sheriff's Office Crime Tips Line at 1-800-706-2488.
