Police arrest armed robbery suspect

Sarasota police arrested a 19-year-old suspect in two armed robberies after a short chase at roughly 5:30 p.m. Sunday, June 30, near the intersection of 10th Street and Lemon Avenue, according to a news release.

Officer Tammy Featherstone recognized John Coates, a homeless man, from surveillance footage captured during the robbery of a 7-Eleven that happened at approximately 2:30 a.m. the same day. Coates attempted to elude capture in the Salvation Army on 10th Street, threw a chair at Featherstone and was captured by officers after escaping on foot.

Police discovered Coates, who is also a suspect in the June 14 robbery of a smoke shop, in possession of a vial containing seven pieces of crack cocaine. Coates is charged with two counts of armed robbery, resisting arrest, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of crack cocaine.

Contact Alex Mahaevan at [email protected].