Florida man robs arcade with BB gun before getting shot and fleeing: police

Florida suspect leads police on short pursuit before getting apprehended and flown to a hospital to be treated for gunshot wound

A Florida man faces serious charges after he allegedly robbed an arcade with a BB gun before getting shot and fleeing the scene.

Officers with the Clewiston Police Department responded to reports of an attempted armed robbery at about 2 a.m. on Saturday morning, according to a press release posted to the department’s Facebook page.

Chad Mitchell Waldrep booking photo (Clewiston Police Department)

After a brief investigation, officers learned that a man wearing a mask walked into the arcade with a gun and demanded that everyone get on the ground.

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An armed security guard at the business fired a single shot at the man before he fled the scene.

Police said officers canvassed the area and found a black BB gun which is believed to have been used by the suspect during the robbery.

A few hours later, officers were dispatched to a suspicious vehicle parked at an apartment complex, with a man slumped over the steering wheel.

Clewiston, Florida police recovered a BB handgun near the scene of an arcade robbery on Saturday morning. (Clewiston Police Department)

Once officers arrived, the man drove off and lead police on a vehicle pursuit in a vehicle that was reportedly stolen.

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After a brief chase, officers apprehended 48-year-old Chad Mitchell Waldrep of Hollywood, Florida.

As Waldrep was taken into custody, police said, he told officers he was shot earlier in the night.

This file image shows crime scene tape and police siren lights.  (iStock)

Waldrep was suffering from what appeared to be a gunshot wound in his lower back and he was airlifted to the trauma center at Hendry Regional Medical Center.

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Police said evidence was collected during the investigation that allegedly links Waldrep, a convicted felon, to the armed robbery at the arcade.

"Calling in suspicious activity can play a critical role in preventing crime, solving crime, and saving lives,’ Clewiston Police Chief Tom Lewis said. "See something, say something."

Police added that even though the robbery appears to have been an isolated incident with no further threat to the community, an investigation into the stolen vehicle is ongoing and additional arrests are pending.

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Once Waldrep is released from the hospital, he faces charges of armed robbery with a weapon and fleeing police.

Police encourage anyone with information about the incident to contact Detective Charles Williams at 863-983-1474.

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