3 Florida men accused of pepper-spraying employees after stealing Chanel purses: deputies

Related video: One teen died and another was injured during a shooting following what police are calling a “botched robbery.”

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Three Florida men found themselves behind bars after their daytime robbery adventure turned into a trip to jail.

Collier County deputies responded to a robbery at Saks Fifth Avenue at Waterside Shops on Tuesday, regarding three men who had stolen several Chanel purses and fleeing the store.

The Fort Lauderdale area men, identified as Michael Lawrence Knight, 27, Harmon Brown, 32, and Keion Jamaal Payne, 31, pepper-sprayed the employees who tried to stop them before they fled in a BMV SUV.

Officials located the getaway car at Golden Gate Parkway and Livingston Road, headed towards I-75. While attempting a traffic stop, the driver, Brown, fled and led deputies on a pursuit through rush-hour traffic.

Brown struck another vehicle during the pursuit and drove onto a sidewalk and into the wrong lanes of traffic on Immokalee Road. He then turned into a plaza where all three men began to flee on foot.

Deputies were able to locate the suspects and arrest them on charges of armed robbery, aggravated battery and fleeing and eluding.

“These arrests send a strong message to criminals: Don’t come to Collier County to carry out your felonious activity,” Sheriff Rambosk said. “Our deputies and detectives are second to none and they will identify you, find you and arrest you.”

This remains an active investigation.

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