A Broward County juvenile suspected in a string of armed robberies is facing charges as an adult and is being held in the Palm Beach County Jail without bond.
Francois
According to an arrest report, 17-year-old Gerald Francois was already on probation after he was convicted of armed robbery on May 28.
Francois, of Lauderhill. is now facing charges of robbery with a firearm and aggravated assault with a weapon without intent to kill after he allegedly pointed a gun at a gas station clerk Aug. 5 in Delray Beach.
Francois was a passenger in a car that drove up to a Mobil gas station at Lindell Boulevard and Federal Highway. Francois then allegedly pointed a silver handgun at the clerk, who was outside on break looking at his cellphone. Francois demanded the phone, but the clerk managed to run back inside the business and lock the door.
According to the arrest report, the description given of Francois and the vehicle he was in fit those connected to a string of vehicle burglaries and robberies that occurred in Boca Raton just prior to the attempted robbery at the Mobil station.
Boca Raton police tracked one of the cars stolen in Boca Raton to Lauderhill and were watching the vehicle when four peoples, including Francois, returned to it.
Francois allegedly admitted pointing the gun at the gas station clerk. The silver handgun allegedly used in the robbery was found in the stolen car. A check revealed the weapon was stolen during a car theft in Boca Raton.
