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Man accused of two robberies in one week

The 18-year-old was arrested with two others in a weekend armed robbery. Last week, he was allegedly involved in another incident.

By YUXING ZHENG
Published November 10, 2005

LARGO - A man whom authorities said was the victim of a revenge beating for an armed robbery last week was himself arrested Sunday on a charge of armed robbery with a firearm in a second, unrelated incident.

Anthony Leggins, Paul Risley and Brandon Williamson, all 18-year-old Largo residents, were arrested Sunday night on charges of armed robbery with a firearm after allegedly robbing two men who were attempting to buy crack cocaine from them.

Sunday's incident was Leggins' second brush with a robbery within a week. He was hospitalized with head and rib injuries Nov. 1 after a beating that Largo police said was orchestrated by two men who claimed Leggins robbed them earlier that day.

The most recent robbery occurred when Leggins, Risley and Williamson met David Powers, 31, of Spring Hill and Gerald Waytowich, 29, of Oldsmar, said Largo police Sgt. Ryan Dulski. Powers and Waytowich intended to buy cocaine from the three younger men, Dulski said.

After Powers withdrew $40 from an automated teller machine, the five men went to Seacrest and Barnsdale drives to get drugs from a nearby apartment, Dulski said.

Risley then asked Powers for a dollar. When Powers refused, Risley pulled out a handgun and demanded that Powers empty his pockets, Dulski said. Powers placed his wallet and cigarettes on the ground, and Leggins took them, according to the arrest affidavit.

Risley ran away. Leggins and Williamson jumped into their car, along with two unidentified juveniles, and were stopped by Largo police at East Bay Drive and Missouri Avenue.

Powers and Waytowich initially told police that they did not know the other men, and that they were robbed of $400, Dulski said.

Leggins and Williamson admitted they robbed Powers, but disputed Powers' story, Dulski said.

"It slowly became evident that Powers and Waytowich actually knew these folks, that they were engaged in a drug deal and the two juveniles were standing at least 30 feet away when the robbery took place and they were not involved," Dulski said.

Powers and Waytowich were arrested on one charge each of resisting arrest without violence. The two juveniles were not charged and were released to their parents.

A BB gun was recovered from the trunk of Williamson's 1977 red Monte Carlo.

Police found Risley at an apartment on Sherwood Drive, where an approaching officer heard Risley talking about the robbery to people inside, Dulski said. Risley was arrested.

Leggins, Williamson and Risley remained in Pinellas County Jail Wednesday in lieu of $50,000 bail. Powers and Waytowich were released Monday on their own recognizance.

Leggins, however, may also face additional charges in the earlier robbery.

That incident began when Leggins allegedly called Miguel Guzman, 29, of Clearwater and Charles Busher, 25, of Largo, asking for money, said sheriff's department spokesman Sgt. Jim Bordner.

Guzman refused, but agreed to meet Leggins. When Leggins arrived, he pulled out a gun and demanded money, Guzman told deputies.

Leggins took $80 and a cell phone from Guzman, a wallet and cell phone from Busher, and $120 and a cell phone from a third person who was with Guzman and Busher, Bordner said.

Busher and Guzman later decided to visit Leggins with a friend, Russell Bailey, 36, said Largo police Sgt. Mark Young.

Bailey entered Leggins' home with a fireplace poker and beat Leggins in his head and ribs, Young said.

Neighbors called police, and officers arrested Busher and Guzman, who were sitting in a van in the street. Both face charges of being the principal in an armed burglary and resisting arrest without violence. Guzman and Busher remained in jail Wednesday in lieu of $50,500 bail. Bailey fled the scene and remains at large.

Deputies found Leggins later that morning at Largo Medical Center, where he was being treated for his injuries. He confessed to the robbery, Bordner said.

Additional charges may be filed against Leggins after a state attorney's office investigation.

[Last modified November 10, 2005, 01:21:17]