A 14-year-old boy is being accused of allegedly using a firearm to carjack an individual who was returning to his vehicle at an Ocala area gas station pump.
Kenneth Singleton was arrested on Saturday, August 10, by a detective from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes unit in connection with the alleged carjacking, which took place earlier that evening.
According to MCSO, at around 10:35 p.m. on Saturday evening, a deputy was flagged down by a citizen at a Circle K gas station located at 7025 NE Jacksonville Road in Ocala.
The victim told the deputy that he had been carjacked a few moments before the deputy entered the parking lot.
According to the victim, upon returning to his car from the store, he was confronted by Singleton, who emerged from behind a gas pump.
Singleton allegedly pointed a handgun at the victim’s chest and asked him to hand over the keys to his vehicle.
According to MSCO, the victim “eventually threw the keys into the driver’s seat and walked away.”
Singleton, who turned 14 in May, then “stole his blue 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe and fled eastbound on Highway 326,” according to MCSO.
Around 10 minutes later, after additional deputies were notified of the alleged carjacking, a corporal located the vehicle in the 5000 block of SE 28th Lane. The corporal conducted a traffic stop and Singleton complied with his commands.
Singleton was taken into custody and the vehicle was secured.
During their search, authorities found a handgun matching the description provided by the victim in the cupholder next to the driver’s seat. Additionally, the victim positively identified Singleton as the person who threatened him with a firearm.
During an interview with Singleton, the teen admitted to the carjacking and “smiled frequently.” According to MCSO, he did “not have remorse for his actions.”
Singleton was arrested and transported to the Department of Juvenile Justice. He faces charges of carjacking with a firearm, possession of a firearm by a person younger than 18, and improper exhibition of a firearm.
According to court records, Singleton was recently adjudicated delinquent for Grand Theft of a Motor Vehicle, Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer, Felony Criminal Mischief, and Disrupting School Functions, which resulted in him being placed on felony probation.