On March 10, 2017, PCSO deputies arrested two 16-year-old boys for armed burglary, during which a firearm and credit cards were stolen from the victim’s car when it was parked in her driveway. One of the suspects, Aaron Atkinson, posted a photo of himself holding the stolen gun, on Facebook. One of his friends commented that he was “doing too much on Facebook” and the “polk sheriff” would be on his tail, to which Atkinson replied, “[expletive] ’em” (see photos below).

Aaron Atkinson, DOB 5/26/2000, of Bartow, is being charged with:

• Armed Burglary (F-1)
• Possession of Weapon by Convicted Felon (F-2)
• Grand Theft of Firearm (F-3)
• Grand Theft (F-3)
• Illegal Use of Credit Card (F-3)
• Criminal Use of Personal ID (F-3)
• Violation of Probation (M-2)
• Theft (M-1)
• Giving False Info to LEO (M-1)

Raven Scott, DOB 5/22/2000, of Lakeland, is being charged with:

• Armed Burglary (F-1)
• Grand Theft of Firearm (F-3)
• Grand Theft (F-3)
• Violation of Probation (M-2)

They were both arrested and taken to the JAC. As such, we do not have mugshots for them.

The following are excerpts from their affidavits, and they are self-explanatory:

On 03/09/2017 between 7:00 PM and 11:17 PM, the suspect, Aaron Atkinson, walked into a driveway on Iowa Road in Lakeland, as the co-defendant, Raven Scott, stayed nearby on his bicycle. Atkinson approached the victim’s 2016 Nissan Rogue that was parked in the driveway and stole items from within while Scott remained on Iowa Road assisting in the burglary as a lookout person.  

Atkinson stole a Thompson .45 caliber semi-automatic firearm valued at $400.00 from within the center console of the vehicle; the victim’s brown leather Dooney & Burke purse valued at $350.00, which contained the victim’s Florida driver’s license, Capital One credit card, and Wells Fargo debit card; a 14kt. yellow gold wedding band valued at $200.00; a 14kt. yellow gold pendant with charms valued at $300.00; and a silver metal necklace valued at $8.00.

Atkinson and Scott returned to the residence at 2121 Christy Lane in Lakeland (Scott’s home). On 03/09/2017 at 11:26 PM and 11:41 PM, Atkinson contacted Domino’s Pizza located at 339 Bartow Road in Lakeland, and attempted to purchase three large pizzas, chicken wings, and a two litter of Coke each time.  Both times Atkinson used the victim’s Capital One card and wanted the food delivered to 2121 Christy Lane in Lakeland, but each transaction for $49.88 was declined.  

On 03/10/2017 at 12:42 AM, Atkinson attempted to purchase jewelry via an online purchase from SP Industries in Pasadena, California, using the victim’s Capital One card but the transaction for $799.99 was declined.  On 03/10/2017 at 12:44 AM, Atkinson attempted to purchase jewelry via an online purchase from SP Industries in Pasadena, California using the victim’s Wells Fargo debit card but the transaction for $799.99 was declined.

The victim received a text message notifying her of the declined transaction. The victim then exited the residence and discovered that her white Nissan Rogue had been burglarized. The victim contacted her financial institutions and was able to determine where the declined charges occurred to include the charges at Domino’s Pizza.

Detectives determined the phone number used in the Domino’s Pizza order was registered to Shane Atkinson, which was connected to a Facebook profile. While conducting a search through Facebook for the suspect, detectives located a photograph of the suspect holding a black semi-automatic firearm, posted on his Facebook page on 03/10/2017 at approximately 1:45 AM.

The victim viewed the photograph and positively identified the firearm as being the Thompson .45 caliber semi-automatic that was stolen from the center console of her vehicle. The victim stated that her father had drilled holes in the trigger guard to make the firearm unique and the firearm in the photograph had the same identifying features.

Atkinson was later located in the roadway in front of 2230 Christy Lane in Lakeland, Florida. He identified himself as John Shane Johnny with the date of birth of 05/26/97. Detectives called phone number 863-547-7890, twice, and during both times the phone in “John Johnny’s” possession began to ring. Detectives again asked the suspect his name, and the suspect continued to state that his name was John Johnny. When they told the suspect they were calling his cellular phone, the suspect stated “You tricked me,” and advised that his name is Aaron Shane Atkinson.

In the suspect’s backpack, detectives located a 14kt. gold charm, a silver metal necklace and charm, and a pack of Marlboro Special Blend cigarettes (the same brand the victim smokes).

Post Miranda, both Atkinson and Scott stated during the night of 03/09/2017, they went to Eaton Park, and while Atkinson broke into a white car, Scott rode down the roadway on his bicycle and acted as a lookout person.

Detectives located the stolen Thompson .45 caliber from the bottom drawer of a dresser within Scott’s bedroom. Atkinson told detectives he hid it there without Scott’s knowledge. All of the other stolen property was located as well.

A check through the Department of Juvenile Justice database was conducted – it was determined Atkinson was found guilty for burglary of an unoccupied conveyance (court docket #2016-CJ-001384-0000-00) on 07/27/16; possession of a weapon or ammo by convicted felon (court docket #2014-CJ-000198-0000) on 02/12/14; and burglary of an occupied dwelling (court docket #2012-CJ-002961-0000) on 08/29/12.  

Atkinson has an extensive juvenile criminal history with charges such as petit theft, trespassing, motor vehicle theft, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, interfering with custody of a minor, battery, burglary of an occupied conveyance, grand theft, dealing in stolen property, burglary of an unoccupied conveyance, possession of stolen credit cards, carrying a concealed weapon, possession of a weapon on school property, possession of a weapon or ammunition by convicted felon, stalking, resisting arrest without violence, burglary of a dwelling cause over $1,000 in damage, burglary of occupied dwelling, and felony criminal mischief.