Exchange Students Robbed, Pistol Whipped, Shot At In Bartow

BARTOW, FL -- Bartow Police are searching for two armed robbers who lured foreign students in the United States for work-study program through Facebook and robbed them at gunpoint.

The students began communicating with someone selling a cell phone through Facebook Marketplace and were instructed to go to Azalea Gardens at 1050 Golfview Ave., Bartow, on Thursday, Aug. 9, to complete the purchase.

When the foreign students arrived, two people robbed them at gun point, pistol whipped them and fired a shot at them.

The shot missed both victims but they sustained head lacerations due to the pistol whippings.

Through the Facebook post, Bartow Police detectives have identified Jonathan L. Vaughn, 21, as a suspect. They've issued an arrest warrant on two counts of armed robbery with a firearm, two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and discharging a firearm in public.

Anyone with information can remain anonymous and submit tips through Heartland Crime Stoppers, which is offering a reward of up to $3,000, at 1-800-226-TIPS(8477) or by clicking here.

Image via Bartow Police

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