5 Arrested in Twin Horse Saloon Armed Robbery

Five Manatee County men face criminal charges in connection with a Thursday morning armed robbery at a St. Petersburg bar. They are also suspected of being connected to a string of recent armed robberies in Manatee, deputies say.

According to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, the St. Petersburg robbery occurred just after midnight Thursday at the Twin Horse Saloon, 2747 53rd Ave. N. Deputies say they received a call about an armed robbery in progress at the location. When they arrived, they learned that four armed and masked men entered the bar, robbed patrons and employees of cash and cellphones.

“One suspect held a gun to a bartender’s head and demanded cash,” an email from the sheriff’s office stated. “Deputies say the suspects battered patrons with hands and fists; and at least one bar patron was struck with a pool cue.”

Deputies spotted two of the men running west from the business and enter the back of a waiting car. Patrol deputies began a pursuit and were able to stop the vehicle in the Shore Acres Boulevard and 14th Lane Northeast area.

The vehicle’s driver, Troy M. Griffin Sr., 36, of Palmetto was brought into custody. He was taken to a local hospital for treatment. He complained of neck injuries, deputies say.

The four other men, deputies say, got out of the vehicle and fled on foot. Deputies saw one of the men, later identified as Troy M. Griffin Jr., 20, of Bradenton, carrying a firearm.

The K9 Unit was called in and was able to bring all four men into custody.

Griffin Jr. was found in a nearby backyard. Tevin Major, 23, of Bradenton was found hiding inside a shed. Juwann Robert, 18, was found hiding near a boat in the intra-coastal waterway, the email said.

Craig Koonce, 18, of Bradenton was also found in a nearby backyard. He broke his right leg while fleeing and was taken to Bayfront Medical Center for treatment.

“According to investigators, one firearm, a 357 Ruger revolver, which had been reported stolen from Bradenton, was recovered in a nearby backyard,” the email said.

None of the victims required hospitalization, the sheriff’s office noted.

The five men now face these charges:

Troy M. Griffin Sr.

• Charges: Armed robbery, fleeing and eluding, felony driving on a suspended license

Troy M. Griffin Jr.

• Armed robbery and grand theft of a firearm

Tevin J. Major

• Armed robbery and burglary

Juwaan Roberts

• Armed robbery and burglary

Craig Koonce

• Armed robbery

Following the arrests, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office reported that the men are suspects in the recent string of armed robberies in that county. No charges from Manatee have been filed against them as of yet.

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