Four Teens Arrested in Armed Robbery

Four Palm Harbor teenagers have been charged in an armed home invasion in Tarpon Springs.

According to authorities, 18-year-old Agostin Qosaj, 17-year-old Ndue "Andy" Qosaj, 17-year-old Gjulio Arapi and 16-year-old Serxhio Nokaj kicked in the rear doors to an apartment on North Pinellas Avenue in Tarpon Springs on Thursday morning. The boys were masked, and at least two were armed. The Qosaj boys are brothers.

Three people were inside the home at the time. One of the three, a juvenile, was struck with a rifle and beaten during the robbery. The other two were held at gunpoint while the four boys took money and drugs from the residence. 

Tarpon Springs Police responded to the apartment. Inside, they found a stolen gun and two other guns suspected of being stolen, according to a media release, and they arrested one of the robbery victims, a juvenile.

That night, while conducting surveillance related to the robbery, detectives spotted the Qosaj brothers in a vehicle outside a residence on Country Grove Boulevard in Palm Harbor. Detectives stopped the vehicle and arrested the brothers.

Shortly thereafter, detectives found a black 1997 Honda Accord believed to have been used in the robbery. It was about two blocks away from where the Qosaj brothers were arrested. The vehicle was taken into evidence.

On Friday morning, acting on a tip, detectives went to a Tarpon Springs home. There, in a juvenile's bedroom, they found a rifle matching the description of the one used during the robbery.

On Friday afternoon, detectives were interviewing Nokaj's parents when he and Arapi pulled up to the residence. The boys turned the car around but were apprehended after a short pursuit.

Authorities do not believe the robbery was a random act, according to a media release.

The Qosaj brothers, who live on Country Grove Bouelvard in Palm Harbor, both face charges of home invasion robbery and aggravated assault. Agostin Qosaj also faces a charge of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. Nokaj is charged with home invasion robbery and aggravated assault. Arapi is charged with home invasion robbery. 

Agostin Qosaj was taken to Pinellas County Jail. The other three were taken to the county Juvenile Assessment Center.

*Updated 9:09 p.m. 4/20/12