TWO ARRESTS IN ROBBERY OF DOLLAR GENERAL

SARASOTA COUNTY DETECTIVES ARRESTED TWO PEOPLE AND ISSUED WARRANTS FOR TWO OTHERS IN CONNECTION WITH THE WEDNESDAY ROBBERY OF THE DOLLAR GENERAL STORE ON 17^TH STREET.  WITNESSES TOLD DEPUTIES THAT TWO BLACK MALES ENTERED THE STORE WITH ONE BRANDISHING A FIREARM.  THE OTHER HAD A BAG TO CARRY THE STOLEN LOOT.  THEY FLED ON FOOT AND GOT INTO A WAITING VEHICLE.  SHORTLY AFTER THE INCIDENT, DEPUTIES LOCATED THE GETAWAY CAR BEHIND A HOME ON KING BOULEVARD.  WITNESSES IDENTIFIED THE DRIVER AS 38 YEAR OLD JEANYA PRESTON AND THE PASSENGER AS HER SON, 20 YEAR OLD CLARENCE PRESTON.  THEY WERE BOTH ARRESTED JUST BEFORE MIDNIGHT WEDNESDAY AND CHARGED WITH PRINCIPAL TO ROBBERY WITH A FIREARM.  BOTH ARE BEING HELD WITHOUT BOND IN THE SARASOTA COUNTY JAIL.  DETECTIVES ARE SEARCHING FOR TWO MEN IDENTIFIED AS THE PERPETRATORS OF THE CRIME.  31 YEAR OLD HENRY JOHNSON OF SARASOTA WILL BE CHARGED WITH ARMED ROBBERY AND POSSESSION OF A FIREARM BY A CONVICTED FELON, WHILE 19 YEAR OLD KEITH SMITH OF SARASOTA IS FACING ONE COUNT OF ARMED ROBBERY.  ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ON THEIR WHEREABOUTS IS ASKED TO CALL CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS AT 861-4900, OR YOU CAN LEAVE ANONYMOUS INFORMATION WITH CRIME STOPPERS, EITHER BY PHONE AT 366-TIPS OR ONLINE AT WWW.SARASOTACRIMESTOPPERS.COM