Teens Arrested for String of Armed Burglaries

A group of four Boynton Beach adolescents, ranging from age 14 to 17, are behind at least six cases of armed robbery, according to Boynton Beach Police who apprehended the four today and are investigating whether the teens committed even more robberies.

Their names: Gary Finklea, 17; Tydarius Williams, 15; Decarius McCray, 15; and Raynall Newsome, 15.

The spree began January 13, when police say the foursome pointed a pistol at the head of a 56-year-old man who was riding a bike. The theft was interrupted by a witness who screamed she would call police, and the teens scrambled away. Their more recent efforts were more successful. From the BBPD release:

The next day, the teens robbed a couple who were walking around the Ezell Hester Park at 1901 N. Seacrest Blvd. The teens pointed a handgun

at the couple and demanded money. One of the victims handed over his wallet and the teens fled.

On January 15, the teens committed three robberies in three hours. It began around 4:30 p.m., when they pointed a gun in the face of an ice cream truck driver in the 100 block of Northeast 15th Avenue. They fled with less than $100 in cash.

The teens then confronted two other teens walking near the Ezell Hester Community Center at 1901 N. Seacrest Boulevard. One of the suspects pointed a handgun at one of the teens and took his gold chain. Around 7 p.m., the teens pointed a gun at a man walking near the racquetball courts at the Hester Center and took his cell phone.

Their vicious crime spree stopped for two days and then around 2:30 p.m. on Monday, January 18, they pointed a handgun at a 17-year-old man riding his Go-Ped in the 100 block of NE 19th Avenue. They fled with the $300 scooter.

During the investigation, detectives recovered a shotgun and a .38-caliber handgun in the home of one of the suspects. They also found stolen property belonging to the victims of the robberies.

Major Case Squad Detectives Midian Diaz, Brian Anderson and Alex Moreno worked tirelessly on these cases, linking together pieces from half a dozen crime scenes, speaking to victims and witnesses and bringing these teens to justice.

"Through the efforts of concerned parents and the diligence of these detectives, they were able to arrest four violent juveniles and save potential victims from serious injury or even death," said 1st Sgt. Paul Sheridan, who supervises the Major Case Squad.

Detectives are looking into the possibility that these teens are responsible for additional robberies. Anyone with information about these robberies is asked to call Detective Midian Diaz at 561-742-6113, Detective Brian Anderson at 561-742-6115 or Detective Alex Moreno at 561-742-6138. Anonymous tips can be submitted via bbpd.org.