Two teenagers arrested in armed burglary

Two vehicle burglars, ages 13 and 16, were arrested early Monday morning after a Ramrod Key resident confronted them outside his residence.

There were no serious injuries reported.

Juan Anton Long, 16, and Ethan N. Blake, 13, both of Big Pine Key, were both charged with burglary of a dwelling, structure or conveyance while armed.

A GLOCK® 30 and a 9mm Smith & Wesson® were both recovered following the incident.

Lower Keys Deputy Ty Torres was dispatched to a residence on the 27000 block of St. Martin Lane on Ramrod Key at 2:17 a.m. regarding an alleged armed robbery. He began looking for the suspects. The victim spoke to Detective Wendy Negron. The victim told Detective Negron he noticed a light outside his residence about 2 a.m. He saw two people near the driver’s side of his Chevrolet Suburban. The victim retrieved his handgun and confronted the two suspects, telling them to leave. One suspect, later identified as Long, fled, running toward West Indies Drive.

The victim noticed the other suspect, later identified as Blake, was in possession of a handgun. A fight ensued over control of Blake’s gun and the victim was able to disarm Blake. The victim stated Blake then fled in the same direction as Long. He was able to give a description of both suspects. One of the handguns recovered by the Sheriff’s Office was found on the victim’s property following the altercation.

The victim showed Detective Negron security footage at his house that corroborated his story.

Meanwhile, Deputy Torres saw Blake walking along a wooded area near West Indies Drive upon his arrival to the scene. Blake got on an electric motorbike. Deputy Torres unholstered his service weapon and ordered Blake to show his hands. Blake did not obey Deputy Torres’ commands to show his hands and proceeded to drive toward Deputy Torres. It appeared to Deputy Torres that Blake was intending to drive into him with the electric motorbike. Deputy Torres grabbed the motorbike as it neared, causing Blake to fall off. Deputy Torres again aimed his service weapon at Blake and again ordered him to show his hands. Blake continued to disobey Deputy Torres’ orders to show his hands. Deputy Torres holstered his service weapon and grabbed Blake by his jacket. Blake was handcuffed and placed in the rear of Deputy Torres’ patrol car.

Deputy Torres’ went back to the area where he first spotted Blake. Deputy Torres found two backpacks. One of the pistols found was recovered in one of the backpacks.

Long was later located walking along U.S. 1. in the Big Torch Key area. He was apprehended with the help of Key West Police Department and U.S. Border Patrol K9 units.

Blake later admitted to Detective Negron that he and Long were burglarizing vehicles that morning.

Blake and Long were taken to jail.

Several other burglaries were reported Monday morning and more charges could be pending against both suspects.