ALACHUA COUNTY, Fla. – An 18-year-old man has been arrested in connection with an armed robbery in which investigators say two victims were lured through a social media marketplace and robbed at gunpoint while attempting to sell firearms.
The robbery occurred on July 22 in the 700 block of Southwest 69th Street, according to the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies responded after receiving reports that two victims had arranged to meet a prospective buyer for items they had listed for sale on social media. Investigators said the meeting was a setup.
According to detectives, the victims were confronted at gunpoint and robbed by multiple suspects, who fled on foot with several items, including a firearm the victims had intended to sell.
As the investigation progressed, detectives identified 18-year-old Dewayne Libardo McAllister III as one of the suspects involved.
Investigators allege McAllister was the individual who initially met with the victims and took possession of one of the firearms during the robbery. Detectives also determined he acted with two additional suspects, whose identities have not yet been released.
An arrest warrant was issued for McAllister.
On July 24, law enforcement received real-time intelligence indicating McAllister was at a residence in the 1000 block of Southwest 62nd Terrace.
Deputies and warrant investigators established a perimeter around the residence and repeatedly ordered McAllister to surrender over a public address system. After approximately 30 minutes, he exited the residence and was taken into custody without incident.
McAllister is charged with armed robbery, two counts of grand theft of a firearm and possession of a firearm by a Florida adjudicated delinquent.
Authorities said McAllister also faces additional charges in a separate Alachua County Sheriff’s Office investigation involving an unsanctioned block party in May. During that investigation, deputies with the Sheriff’s Office FOCUS Unit recovered a rifle that had been reported stolen in Dixie County. Detectives later linked McAllister to the firearm after identifying him in photographs allegedly showing him holding the stolen rifle.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, McAllister has an extensive juvenile criminal history, including prior adjudications for multiple burglaries. In 2023, he was also charged with armed burglary, criminal mischief and grand theft of a firearm.
Detectives continue searching for the two remaining suspects believed to have participated in the robbery.
Anyone with information about the case or who witnessed suspicious activity in the area at the time of the robbery is asked to contact Detective C. Weitzel of the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office at (352) 367-4161.
The investigation remains ongoing.