Lehigh sneaker swap ends in guns drawn, arrests

What was supposed to be a simple tennis shoe exchange turned into an armed robbery and led to the arrest of four teenagers, according to the Lee County Sheriff's Office.

Deputies say it all began Thursday night when they received a call regarding a robbery in Lehigh Acres.

The victim told deputies he had arranged a meeting to trade a pair of Nike Foamposite shoes and $80 cash for two pairs of Air Jordan shoes.

While the victim was interviewed, detectives recalled a recent crime with the same suspect and vehicle descriptions. Further investigation led them to check out a residence at 812 Monroe Avenue in Lehigh Acres.The people he was "trading with" arrived in a van with the front bumper torn off. As the victim handed over his shoes, two suspects in the van displayed guns and pointed them at the victim, demanding he also hand over cash and his cell phone.

Upon arrival, detectives noticed the same van in the driveway as well as the Nike Foamposite shoes in plain sight.

Deputies arrested the following on charges of robbery with a firearm:

Elie Leconte, 19, Lehigh Acres, charged with Robbery with a Firearm.

Chris Vega, 14, Lehigh Acres, charged with Robbery with a Firearm.

Maurice Jean-Louis, 18, Fort Myers, charged with Robbery with a Firearm.

Dexon Justabe, 16, Fort Myers, charged with Robbery with a Firearm.