Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Holdup shooting suspect just 14, but experienced

By Times Staff Writer
Published February 24, 2006

TAMPA - Collis Denson is only 14, but already he has been arrested at least 14 times on charges including arson, aggravated battery and drug possession.

Thursday, Denson was held without bail in the county jail on charges of attempted first-degree murder and armed robbery.

Police say he was one of two persons who robbed a man walking along Armenia Avenue in central Tampa Jan. 28, then shot him in the arm when he fought back.

Denson, 1148 W Spruce St., was arrested Wednesday afternoon on a warrant that charges him as an adult, jail records show.

Tampa police spokesman Joe Durkin said Denson and another robber were on bicycles when they confronted Ramirez Reynaldo Pantogas, 21, at Armenia Avenue and Chestnut Street.

They demanded money, but Pantogas refused, according to Durkin. One robber reached into Pantogas' pocket, but he tried to fight back.

Denson pulled a gun and fired twice at Pantogas, hitting him once in the arm, Durkin said. Denson and the other robber fled, according to investigators.

Rescue workers took Pantogas to St. Joseph's Hospital. His injury was not life-threatening.

Durkin said Denson, during questioning by detectives, said he and Pantogas were in the middle of a drug transaction that night when they started arguing and his gun went off.

State criminal records show Denson was charged with arson at age 8. The outcome of that case is not clear because of protections given to juvenile records. Last year he was sentenced to juvenile probation in a Tampa battery case.

Seven months later, Tampa police arrested him again on one count of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.

[Last modified February 24, 2006, 01:37:23]