Florida Residents Arrested For Robberies In Fort Myers, Davenport, And Altamonte Springs

Tampa, Florida – John Armstrong Jr. (30, North Fort Myers) has been arrested and charged by a federal criminal complaint with Hobbs Act robbery and attempted bank robbery. In addition, Tanya Legg (43, North Fort Myers) has been arrested and charged by a separate federal criminal complaint with bank robbery. If convicted, Armstrong and Legg each face a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each count. Both individuals made their initial appearances in federal court today, in Fort Myers, and have been detained.

According to the criminal complaints, on September 26, 2019, Armstrong, an unidentified associate, and Legg allegedly robbed a BB&T Bank in Altamonte Springs. Armstrong and the unidentified associate used firearms to force bank employees to open the bank’s safe. They then stole approximately $22,000 in cash. Legg assisted in purchasing items used to complete the BB&T robbery and then served as the getaway driver.   

According the complaint against Armstrong, on June 14, 2019, Armstrong used a firearm to rob a 7-11 convenience store in North Fort Myers. During this robbery, Armstrong struck one of the store employees in the face with his firearm, causing a laceration to the bottom corner of her left eye. On September 25, 2019, Armstrong and an unidentified associate attempted to commit an armed robbery of a PNC Bank in Davenport. Earlier that morning, Armstrong or an associate carjacked a vehicle, and held the victim at gunpoint, after which they used the stolen vehicle as a getaway vehicle for the attempted PNC Bank robbery. 

A criminal complaint is merely an allegation that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Altamonte Springs Police Department, the Fort Myers Police Department, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, the Punta Gorda Police Department, and the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Chauncey A. Bratt.