SANTA ROSA COUNTY

SHERIFF'S OFFICE

Sheriff Wendell Hall

Investigators Make Arrest in NAPA Armed Robbery

Santa   Rosa County Sheriff's Office Investigators have arrested the suspect responsible for the armed robbery of a NAPA Auto Parts Store in Gulf Breeze. During the robbery, a masked gunman entered the store brandishing a handgun demanding money. The suspect fled the scene and was not located on that day. Investigators have since continued their investigation which yielded an arrest this evening. Gabriel Keenan Yates (15 year old Gulf Breeze High School Student) was charged with one count of Armed Robbery with a firearm, and one count of Intimidation by Wearing a Mask to Conceal Identity. The arrest happened after information was received that a student of Gulf Breeze High School had stated to other students that he had robbed the Napa Auto Parts Store. The student, Gabriel Yates, was questioned by investigators in the presence of a parent. The parent and Yates cooperated with investigators, which eventually yielded a confession from Yates, along with the recovery of a .25 caliber handgun, money from the robbery, and the clothes that were worn during the robbery. Yates was not able to provide a reason or motive to investigators for committing the robbery. Yates was arrested and transported to the Santa Rosa County Jail. After booking, he will be taken to the Department of Juvenile Justice in Escambia County . A mug shot of Yates is attached to this email.

SUSPECT:

Gabriel Keenan Yates, W/M, 15 years old, 4300 Block of Marilyn Court, Gulf Breeze, FL

Sheriff's Office On Scene at Armed Robbery in Gulf Breeze: 3/11/08

Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office Deputies are currently on scene at 1556 Central Parkway , Gulf Breeze, FL, in reference to an armed robbery. At 1530 hours, an armed suspect walked into the Napa Auto Parts Store located at the intersection of Highway 98 and Central Parkway . The suspect was armed with what appeared to be a semi-automatic pistol. He was described as being a white male, approximately 20 years old, 5'08” tall, 150 pounds, wearing a blue hooded sweatshirt. The suspect had a bandana covering part of his face. The suspect demanded money from the clerks present. The clerks complied with his demands and the suspect fled the store on foot. Sheriff's Deputies have set up a perimeter and a track is being conducted at this time with K-9 deputies and Escambia County Sheriff's Office Air-1 Helicopter. No further information is known at this time.

Press Release By:

Sgt. Scott Haines

Media Relations Unit

(850) 981-2136 or shaines@srso.net