Felon on probation faces new charges after carjacking, robberies in Lehigh Acres

LEE COUNTY, Fla. — A carjacking led to two 7-Eleven gas stations being held up late Tuesday night. The man behind it, a 27-year-old Da'Vonta Edwards, according to Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno.

“This oxygen stealer's poor decisions put our entire county at risk," Sheriff Marceno said. "I’m thankful that the victims weren’t harmed.”

According to Sheriff Marceno, around 11:00 PM Tuesday, Edwards started his violent spree on the 800 block of Cypress Lake Drive. LCSO said Edwards had a stolen gun and used it to carjack a driver of a silver Honda Element.

“God forbid, someone coming in your car pointing a gun at you presenting deadly force and stealing your car,” Sheriff Marceno said.

An hour later, LCSO said Edwards went to the 7-Eleven on Meadow Road in Lehigh acres, flashed the gun, and robbed the gas station, taking cash with him. However, he wasn't done there, he then made the 10-minute drive to another 7-Eleven on Gateway BLVD and robbed that store as well.

"I wouldn’t know what to do actually to be in a situation like that," said Terry Churman, a resident of Lehigh Acres."That’s some audacity actually, like wow."

After learning about the events that took place, Terry said it's scary to think about. He has lived in Lehigh for the past 18-years and said he hears about these certain situations in big cities but never heard about it happening so close to his home.

“With the population growing and, gas prices all these things on the edge people are going to go to desperate measures," Chruman said."

During our conversation with Sheriff Marceno he explained that Edwards was recently released from prison. Fox 4's Briana Brownlee looked up his arrest records and saw his previous charges were vehicular homicide or killing of a fetus, driving without a license, battery, and damage to property.

“He has been out of prison for about a year, then there was a probation sentence, so he’s on probation and obviously he didn’t learn his lesson,” Sheriff Marceno said.

Churaman said in these desperate times for people, he hopes that the area can remain safe.

"This county is filled with great residents, great people, they want and deserve law and order and to be safe and as sheriff, I’m going to deliver that," Sheriff Marceno said.

Edwards is now charged with carjacking, robbery with a firearm, fleeing and eluding, and possession of a weapon by a convicted felon.