Getaway drivers arrested after shots fired at Ellenton jewelry store, deputies say

The sheriff’s office announced two arrests made in connection to an armed robbery attempt at a jewelry store in the Ellenton Premium Outlets.

Markeice Craft, 38, and Ronnie Wilson, 42, are charged with armed robbery after the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office said they were the getaway drivers in an armed robbery attempt that saw gunfire exchanged at a store in the Ellenton Premium Outlets.

The investigation continues as the two suspects caught on camera in the store remain at large, according to a news release.

On Aug. 14, detectives said two unidentified men wearing masks and blue shirts entered the Gold Palace jewelry store inside the Ellenton Premium Outlets , 5295 Factory Shops Blvd., Ellenton, armed with at least one handgun.

After entering the store, the sheriff’s office said one of the men approached an employee and shot a round toward the back of the store that did not strike anyone. In response, the sheriff’s office said an employee pulled a gun out and returned gunfire in the direction of the alleged armed robbers but missed.

No one was hit by any of the shots, the Bradenton Herald previously reported.

The sheriff’s office said the two men then fled the store and drove off in what appeared to be a silver Toyota Highlander.

The arrest of the two alleged getaway drivers was done with the assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the St. Petersburg Police Department, according to a news release. Manatee County Sheriff’s Office and St. Petersburg’s SWAT teams were also involved in the arrests on Monday, according to detectives.

Craft is also facing drug trafficking charges out of Pinellas County, according to court records.

Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office at (941) 747-3011 , or to remain anonymous and to be eligible for a cash reward, contact Manatee County Crime Stoppers at (866) 634-8477 (TIPS) or online at www.ManateeCrimeStoppers.com .