BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor
The investigation into the murder of a security guard led police to a teenager earlier this week. The teenager was in custody on other charges when the new charges were filed.
According t0 the Tampa Police Department, the 21st murder in the City of Tampa took place when Critical Intervention Services (CIS) Security Guard Michael Valentin died during an attempted robbery. The murder took place at the Grand Oaks Apartments Complex, 2402 E. Hanna Avenue.
On Wednesday night, a week after the death, police have charged Larry Donell Brown, 16, who resides in the Moses White Estates, with first-degree murder, 2 counts of armed robbery, attempted armed robbery, grand theft of a firearm, being a felon in possession of a firearm. Brown is held at the Juvenile Assessment Center without bond.
The murder of Valentin took place shortly after 7:30 p. m., Thanksgiving Eve. Valentin was employed as an armed CIS Security Guard for the complex. Valentin, who was married and the father of two children, was working an extra shift that night.
According to the investigation, Valentin was the victim of an armed robbery gone wrong. Brown allegedly shot Valentin in the upper body and fled the scene, leaving his bicycle behind. When police arrived, they discovered Valentin’s body. His firearm was still in the holster.
Sgt. Bill Todd, of the Homicide Squad at Tampa Police Department said background information on Brown is limited because he is a juvenile.
Sgt. Todd said Brown has admitted to owning the bicycle, but not to committing the murder. Brown was reportedly visiting a female acquaintance who lives in the apartment complex.
“I have been a police officer for 29 years and it still amazes me to see these young children take the life of another human being like it’s a video game,” Sgt. Todd said.
He further stated that the gun was taken from someone who lives near Brown. The owner reported it to police on the same day as the murder.
Bicycle Abandoned
As the Homicide detectives began their investigation last Wednesday, they discovered a bicycle at the scene. They determined that it might be linked to the crime and processed it for evidence. Police were able to develop a positive DNA match from the bicycle.
After the murder, the first robbery occurred on Saturday, November 24th. Shortly before 10 p.m., that evening, 22-year-old Dwayne Jenkins was using an ATM machine in the 1700 block of East Fowler Avenue. The suspect walked up behind Jenkins, implied he had a gun, and demanded that Jenkins withdraw money. He then took Jenkins’ keys and cell phone.
Three days later, on Tuesday around 7:40 p.m., Husain Baaquel, 25, was using the same ATM machine when he was approached from behind. Baaquel also told police the suspect implied he had a gun, demanded money, took his cell phone, keys, and fled.
Police said it has not been confirmed that the suspect fled the robberies on a bicycle, and no bicycle has been recovered.
Police captured the image of the suspect in both robberies on video. Sgt. Todd said neither of the victims saw a gun, but the suspect placed an object up to their backs, and implied that he was armed.
In the interim, as the murder investigation continued, CIS offered a reward of $10,000 leading to information, the arrest, and conviction of the suspect.
On Tuesday night, police executed a search warrant at Brown’s residence and recovered additional evidence related to the murder and both ATM robberies. Police learned of the theft of the gun through witness interviews. They also said the gun used in the homicide has been recovered.
Sgt. Todd said Brown has been charged with murder as a juvenile.
Mark Cox, of the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office said, Brown appeared in Juvenile Court on Thursday morning. The state has 21 days to charge Brown as an adult.
