A 53-year-old Davenport man was arrested following a knife-point robbery at a local vape shop after deputies matched him to the suspect using clothing descriptions and surveillance evidence.
On Monday, May 12, 2025, at approximately 6:03 p.m., Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a robbery call at the Vape Up Café, located at 43418 US 27 in Davenport. According to the report, a heavy-set, middle-aged white male entered the store, walked behind the counter, and held a knife to the female employee while demanding money.
When the employee attempted to call 911, the suspect allegedly took her phone. He then took an undisclosed amount of cash and fled the scene in a silver Toyota Corolla. The victim suffered a superficial scratch from the knife but did not require medical attention.
The suspect was described as wearing an Amazon-logo beanie, a black Reebok hoodie, and khaki shorts.
On Wednesday, May 14, 2025, deputies located a silver Toyota Corolla and conducted a traffic stop near Home Run Blvd. and US 27. The driver was identified as Edwin Soto, 53, of Davenport. Soto was found in possession of an Amazon beanie matching the one worn by the robbery suspect, along with a quantity of cocaine.
During a subsequent search of Soto’s residence, detectives recovered a black Reebok hoodie and khaki shorts believed to have been worn during the robbery.
Soto was arrested and transported to the Polk County Jail. He is charged with:
- Robbery with a Deadly Weapon
- Armed Burglary with Assault
- Armed Kidnapping
- Tampering in a Felony Life Crime
- Possession of Cocaine
Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.