By-Line: Joseph Bober, Public Information Office, FCSO
Two males, Masiah Givens, 18, of Palm Coast, and Brandyn Villanueva, 15, of Orange City, have been arrested for an armed robbery that occurred in February of this year.
On March 1, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Communications Center received a report of an armed robbery with a firearm that had occurred the day before. According to the victim, who was a juvenile at the time of the incident, he and another juvenile were in a vehicle with Givens and Villanueva when Givens pulled out what appeared to be a small handgun. Givens then held the weapon to the victim’s head and demanded that he “empty his pockets.” The victim then handed over all his money and both Givens and Villanueva exited the vehicle.
During the investigation, detectives with the FCSO Major Case Unit determined the weapon Givens had used was a BB gun that had its orange tip removed, making it appear to be a real firearm.
On March 2, detectives arrested Givens for Robbery with Weapon, Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon without Intent to Kill, Petit Theft ($100-$750), and Battery. He was transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility, where he is being held without bond.
Following Givens’ arrest, detectives continued the investigation to determine Villanueva’s involvement. Through investigative means, detectives determined that Villanueva had communicated to Givens through text that he had seen the victim withdraw money from an ATM earlier in the day and the two texted further discussing their intent to rob him. Additionally, Givens had given Villanueva the task of keeping an eye on the other juvenile in the vehicle while the robbery occurred, as well as keeping the BB gun after the robbery.
After determining that Villanueva conspired with Givens before the robbery and aided him afterward, detectives obtained an “Order to Take Juvenile into Custody” for Criminal Conspiracy to Commit Robbery with Firearm, Criminal Conspiracy to Commit Aggravated Assault, Accessory After the Fact to Robbery with Firearm, and Accessory After the Fact to Aggravated Assault.
“This was excellent work by our deputies and Major Case Unit to ensure that both people involved in this robbery are being held accountable,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “Offenders should know that we don’t give up until everyone involved in a crime has been identified and arrested. Villanueva probably thought he had gotten away with committing the crime but found out quickly he shouldn’t be celebrating too soon!”
Detectives learned that Villanueva had moved to Orange City during the investigation and contacted the Volusia Sheriff’s Office for assistance with locating him. On April 14, deputies with the VSO School Resource Unit arrested Villanueva at his school. He was transported to the Volusia Family Resource Center.
Masiah Givens (Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility mugshot) (L), Brandyn Villanueva is taken into custody by the Volusia Sheriff’s Office (R)
