Man threatens jump into SR 82 traffic, foils attempted robbery

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Roberto Diaz-Centeno, left, and Jose Sanchez-Alvarez, right. Photo via the Collier County Sheriff’s Office.

LEHIGH ACRES, Fla. A man told two men attempting to rob him he would jump into traffic rather than give them his money.

Roberto Diaz-Centeno, 30, of Puerto Rico, and Jose Sanchez-Alvarez, 28, of Immokalee, are accused of causing a crash after following the man from his bank in an attempt to rob him, the Collier County Sheriff’s Office said. The pair were arrested Monday.

The victim was leaving the Wells Fargo on 5765 Lee Blvd when he noticed Diaz-Centeno and Sanchez-Alvarez following him in a white Audi, deputies said. As they traveled east on State Road 82 and approached Church Road, the men intentionally rear-ended the victim’s Nissan pickup truck, according to deputies.

Sanchez-Alvarez, who was driving, and Diaz-Centeno stepped out of the car and demanded the victim’s money, the sheriff’s office said. The two searched the truck but couldn’t find the $2,000 the victim had hidden.

Diaz-Centeno pointed a gun at the victim and threatened to kill him if he didn’t give him the money, according to the sheriff’s office. But the victim didn’t comply and threatened to throw himself into traffic.

Once they realized they couldn’t find the bag and the victim wouldn’t follow orders, Diaz-Centeno and Sanchez-Alvarez left, deputies said. The victim reported the crime and the Audi was found just after 4 p.m.

Diaz-Centeno and Sanchez-Alvarez are facing charges of armed robbery, armed burglary of a conveyance and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. Diaz-Centeno has an additional charge of driving without a valid license.

They’re in custody with no bond set.

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