July 7, 2009
Brandon Haught
Public Information Office

PAIR ARRESTED FOR CONVENIENCE STORE ROBBERY

A teen who claimed he robbed a convenience store Sunday morning because prescription drugs had messed him up was arrested Monday along with an accomplice by Volusia County Sheriff’s investigators. The robbery happened at the Gas n’ Shop, 2496 East International Speedway Blvd. The storeowner said that a young man pointed a sawed off shotgun at him and demanded money from the register. The victim complied and the suspect then ran outside and got into a waiting vehicle. When the victim reported the robbery to the Sheriff’s Office, a description of the vehicle and the suspect were relayed to area deputies.

Deputy Joshua Mott spotted a vehicle matching the description and noticed the two young men inside had ducked down in their seats when they saw him. Deputy Mott stopped their car and secured the suspects. Michael Evans, 17, was the driver, but it was discovered that he didn’t have a valid driver’s license. Evans was arrested for that offense and placed in the back of the deputy’s patrol car, along with Evans’ passenger, Sergiy Bondarets. The robbery victim was brought by to see the suspects, but he wasn’t able to positively identify either as the robber. Evans was released to his mother after being charged with driving without a license and Bondarets was free to go.

But investigators visited with Evans and Bondarets the next day to ask more questions about what had happened. Finally, the two talked about the incident. Evans admitted to having robbed the store, and said he did it because he had taken Zanax and was messed up. Bondarets, 20, said that he was in the car and was aware of the robbery taking place. Evans and Bondarets are DeLand residents. They were both arrested and charged with armed robbery.