2 'bump and rob' suspects arrested

DELRAY BEACH, Fla. - Authorities hope recent arrests will put an end to the rash of 'bump and rob' crimes across Palm Beach County. Two teens are in jail accused of shooting at victims moments after crashing into the back of their car. 

Michael Barnett and Deonte Peterkins are in jail accused of attempted murder, and aggravated assault.

Police say they rammed the back of a car overnight Thursday, March 19th, on Military Trail just south of Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach. The suspects reportedly held the couple inside the car at gunpoint. Peterkins allegedly shot the driver in the neck and chest.

"It was a very creative way to commit a crime, its just peculiar that this person was shot for clearly no reason," says Sgt. Nicole Guerriero.

Now the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office is investigating whether the two teenagers are responsible for other bump and robs. There’s the possibility other suspects are out there. The day after Peterkins and Barnett were in jail, a man hit another woman driving on Okeechobee Blvd, forcing her car off the road.

The victim says he tried to take her purse, but ran off empty handed. In that incident, it was one suspect working alone.

"I know this is high priority for all the surrounding agencies as it was for us, and still remains for us," says Guerriero.

Sandra Peterkins was there when police came to arrest her son Deonte Saturday. She admits this isn’t the first time her son has been in trouble. But she can’t believe the attempted murder and aggravated assault charges her son now faces.

She had just gotten off the phone with him from jail.

"He was upset, he said he didn’t do it (as a mother I don’t know) He said he didn’t do it, all I can do is believe what he said," says Sandra. "I told him to keep his head up and be strong, if you didn’t do it, don’t worry about it."