During the early morning hours of May 19, 2009, two armed men robbed two convenience stores in Columbia County. The masked gunmen first robbed the Shell station at U.S. 90 West and I-75. After receiving an unknown amount of cash, the gunmen drove to S.R. 47 and I-75 and robbed the Exxon station. A similar robbery occurred at the S&S store at S.R. 47 and I-75 on June 10, 2009.
Columbia County Sheriff’s Office Detective Sgt Joe Vargo was assigned to investigate these robberies. Sgt Vargo learned that there were similar robberies in Alachua, Marion and Hillsborough County. A law enforcement task force was formed in Marion County to investigate the cases.
The task force was able to identify four suspects in these violent robberies. Sgt Vargo was able to link three of the suspects to the robberies in Columbia County through ballistics, DNA evidence and witness testimony. The following suspects have been charged for the Columbia County cases:
Ricky McCollough, 6/9/1988
3 counts of Robbery with a Firearm, RICO (Racketeering Influenced Corrupt Organizations)
Nathaniel Peterson, 10/13/1984
3 counts of Robbery with a Firearm, RICO (Racketeering Influenced Corrupt Organizations)
Melissa Rivera, 5/1/1989
3 counts of Robbery with a Firearm, RICO (Racketeering Influenced Corrupt Organizations)
The suspects are currently being held in the Marion County Jail and are facing charges from multiple counties. The Office of Statewide Prosecution will be responsible for prosecuting all of the cases since the crimes have crossed multiple county lines.
The task force was comprised of detectives from the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, Alachua Police Dept, Gainesville Police Dept, Ocala Police Dept, Marion County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Interagency cooperation was the key toapprehending these violent offenders.
