The third teenager wanted for the robbery and murder of a St. Petersburg man was arrested Tuesday in Tallahassee.
Franco Thomas, 14, was arrested Tuesday afternoon by U.S. Marshals on a first-degree murder warrant.
Thomas, along with Brittany Detwiler and Scionti Hill, both 16, are facing charges in the murder of 20-year-old Jeremy Mayers, who was found in the front yard of a home in southeast St. Petersburg in August. All three teenagers have been indicted as adults.
Investigators said the teenagers lured Mayers to a home on Sea Robin Drive NE, then choked him until he passed out and robbed him. Mayers was discovered by officers who were investigating what turned out to be an unrelated car accident in the area later that morning. He later died at a local hospital.
The victim’s brother is glad to see an arrest of his younger brother's accused killer.
"I think it is just so senseless and to be 14 years old and have that kind of mind-frame. I just don't understand what's going on with the youth today,” Mario Mayers said. “We're a really close family. We have faith and belief in God and that's what's helping us through."
Authorities said they had been in contact with Thomas' family, who agreed to turn him over but had not yet followed through.
On Tuesday, U.S. Marshals learned Thomas was staying at the Tallahassee home of a relative. At about 5 p.m., Marshals entered the home, where they found Thomas.
Agents said Thomas tried to flee, but he was apprehended before he could get out of the house.
While the arrest can't bring Jeremy back, his brother said its welcome news.
“I'm just glad that people can't do things and get away scott free like that,” he said. “Even though it took a while, I'm just glad he's been brought to justice.”
Thomas will be extradited to Pinellas County in the near future.
Detectives are continuing to investigate those who may have helped Thomas flee and hide from authorities. However, no charges have been filed as of yet.