Grace McAlister
reporter1@riverbendnews.org
Monte Deaundre Ellis, a 21-year-old Live Oak resident, was wanted by the Suwannee County Sheriff's Office (SCSO) in connection to several armed robberies that occurred Sunday, Dec. 4 in the county.
According to the SCSO, Ellis reportedly brandished a handgun in the first incident, in which he lured his victim to a location within the Live Oak city limits and robbed him at gunpoint. On Sunday evening, Dec. 4, Ellis was reported to have held another victim at gunpoint and stole his vehicle from an auto parts store in Live Oak.
During this incident, a juvenile co-defendant was unable to enter the vehicle quickly enough and was left to flee on foot while Ellis reportedly sped away. SCSO deputies and Live Oak Police Department (LOPD) patrol units captured the juvenile a few blocks away from the scene. Ellis, however, was able to escape in the victim's vehicle, which he discarded off of Goldkist Boulevard.
The SCSO states Ellis continued his spree at a convenience store located on US Highway 90, just west of the Live Oak city limits. Here, Ellis reportedly attempted to take another vehicle from a third victim, once again at gunpoint. The victim, however, was able to flee back into the convenience store, which caused Ellis to flee on foot.
SCSO deputies and investigators, along with LOPD officers, were able to obtain enough information from video surveillance in areas of the crimes, as well as information from witnesses, to obtain an arrest warrant on Ellis.
On Wednesday, Dec. 14, the SCSO received an anonymous tip reporting that Ellis had been spotted entering a house on Louis Avenue. Upon arrival, SCSO made contact with homeowner Zecosha Lee, who answered the door. Deputies asked Lee if Ellis was inside the residence, and she said no. She gave the deputies consent to search the home for Ellis, at which time deputies spotted him in a bedroom, lying on the floor. Ellis was detained without incident. Ellis was charged with robbery, possession of a weapon and probation violation.