(Lawrenceburg, IN) – Two people have been charged after they allegedly arranged a meeting through social media and turned it into an armed robbery in Lawrenceburg on Monday.
Dearborn County Prosecutor Lynn Deddens says 20-year-old Sophia Isabello Swango arranged to meet the victim near a tattoo shop.
After Swango got into the victim’s car, authorities allege 22-year-old Draven Ray Rogers climbed into the back seat, displayed a handgun and ordered the victim to drive to a secluded parking area between two tractor-trailers.
Investigators say the victim was struck in the face and robbed of cash and other items.
Rogers allegedly threatened to shoot the victim unless he surrendered his cellphone and warned him not to drive away after the former and Swango got out of the vehicle.
The victim then drove from the area, sounded his horn and asked for help from a nearby person.
Authorities say Rogers fled in a Kia, and at one point drove westbound in the eastbound lanes of U.S. 50 and nearly collided with law enforcement vehicles and other traffic.
Law enforcement from several agencies conducted a large-scale search for the suspects.
The victim’s cellphone was later recovered, and he reportedly identified Rogers as the one who pointed the firearm at him, struck him and took his property.
Rogers and Swango were both eventually located and arrested.
They were allegedly captured on surveillance video getting out of the victim’s vehicle.
Rogers has been charged with Robbery While Armed with a Deadly Weapon; Kidnapping (both Level 3 felonies); Criminal Recklessness with a Deadly Weapon; Resisting Law Enforcement (both Level 6 felonies); Theft, and Battery (both Class A misdemeanors).
Swango is charged with Robbery and Theft.
“This case began with an alleged social-media meeting and quickly escalated into a terrifying armed encounter,” Deddens said. “The allegations describe not only a gun being pointed at a victim, but also dangerous flight that placed responding officers and innocent motorists at risk. I am grateful for the immediate response and cooperation of the Lawrenceburg Police Department, Dillsboro Police Department, Aurora Police Department, Indiana State Police, Dearborn County Sheriff’s Department and Indiana Department of Natural Resources who assisted in locating the
suspects.”
