MARION COUNTY, Florida (October 25, 2017) – On the morning of Wednesday, October 25, 2017, detectives with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) Major Crimes Unit arrested Basil A. Franks (DOB: 04/26/1998) and Terell A. Angus (DOB: 07/02/1997) after they committed an armed robbery at a Dollar General store while wearing Halloween masks Tuesday evening. Both suspects have confessed to multiple robberies in Marion County, and detectives with the MCSO and the Ocala Police Department (OPD) will be evaluating additional charges against them for those cases.
At approximately 8:50 p.m. on Tuesday, October 24th, two armed, masked suspects, later identified as Franks and Angus, entered the Dollar General store located at 6725 SE Maricamp Road and committed an armed robbery. Witnesses say that Franks wore a “Freddy Krueger” mask and Angus wore a “Scream” mask, and Franks was armed with black handgun with a chrome chamber. Franks threatened the store employees with the firearm while Angus took money from the cash register and placed it into a blue cloth bag. The duo then fled the store.
Detectives received an anonymous tip identifying Franks as being involved in a string of robberies in Marion County. Shortly after the Dollar General robbery, detectives located Franks’ vehicle and conducted a traffic stop for a traffic infraction. Franks was driving the car and was also wearing the same pants as one of the robbery suspects. A clear latex glove was also discovered in Franks’ vehicle, matching the description of the gloves worn by the robbers. Subsequently, Angus was located at an apartment complex off NE 14th Street, and the blue cloth bag used by the robbery suspects was found by detectives in the apartment complex’s dumpster. The bag contained a “Scream” mask, a “Freddy Krueger” mask and a black BB gun with a chrome chamber. Angus was wearing glasses, consistent with a victim’s statement in the Dollar General robbery, and he was wearing shoes with soles consistent with the footprints observed outside the store.
During Post Miranda interviews, both defendants confessed to committing Tuesday night’s Dollar General robbery, as well as several others across the county and in the City of Ocala. Both are currently charged with one count of Robbery with a Weapon. On Friday, October 20, 2017, the MCSO and OPD issued a joint press release asking for the public’s help in identifying two armed robbers wearing “Freddy Krueger” and “Scream” masks who had committed several robberies in both jurisdictions. Due to the evidence collected and their confessions, more charges in reference to those cases may be forthcoming.
“Because of the assistance of concerned citizens and the collaborative efforts of the Ocala Police Department, MCSO detectives identified, located and arrested the subjects responsible for this recent rash of robberies. The citizens of Ocala and Marion County can now rest assured that these subjects will be held accountable for their actions,” said Sergeant Donald Buie with the MCSO Major Crimes Unit.
“We commend the efforts of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office in identifying the suspects in this case. We believe that through the cooperative efforts of both agencies, we will be able to keep Marion County safer for all our citizens,” said Captain Steven Cuppy with the Ocala Police Department.
Marion County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Office Office: (352) 368-3596 pio2@marionso.com
