Drone Surveillance Foils ‘Dollar Store Bandits’ in Jacksonville Robbery Spree

A group of four alleged robbers, dubbed the “Dollar Store Bandits” by online commenters, has been arrested following a series of armed heists targeting Dollar General stores across the city. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office credits the use of drone surveillance in bringing the suspects’ crime spree to a screeching halt.

The suspects, identified as Tresonda Benefield, Nathanial Carter, Jackeri Lewis, and Jakeithiyan Daniel, allegedly employed a consistent modus operandi. Three of them would wait until an employee was locking up for the night, force the worker back into the store at gunpoint, and demand cash from the safe, while the fourth suspect waited in a getaway vehicle – a white Dodge Charger.

On May 1, the crew robbed a Dollar General on North Main Street, making off with over $3,400. Unbeknownst to the suspects, the sheriff’s department had deployed drones to monitor their movements from above. As the robbers piled into their signature white Charger, the drones watched and recorded their escape.

A SWAT team and officers quickly converged on the fleeing vehicle, deploying a distraction device. Despite being armed during the robberies, the suspects chose not to engage the officers when surrounded, allowing for their arrests without further violence.

Searches at two of the suspects’ residences uncovered incriminating evidence, including clothing identical to that worn during the robberies, latex gloves, Dollar General bags containing stolen merchandise, three guns, ski masks, and more than $3,500 in cash.

Online commenters had a field day mocking the alleged criminals, with one stating, “Imagine going to jail being known as ‘the Dollar Store Bandits.’ What idiots.” Another quipped, “These geniuses committed felonies for less than $10K. They must not know that $10K ain’t much these days.”

The successful apprehension of the suspects showcases the effectiveness of drone technology in enhancing public safety and efficiently apprehending violent criminals. As one commenter put it, “Stay in school, kids. That money is not even enough to get you a lawyer for a week.”