Deputies: 1 dead, 1 in custody after armed robbery leads to Orange County pursuit

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — One man is dead and another is in custody after the Orange County Sheriff's Office said they robbed a Lake County AT&T store at gunpoint before fleeing into Orange County.

Police said the store clerk was inside behind the desk at about 3:45 p.m. when the suspects showed up.

"They came running in and pointed guns right in his face, forced him on the ground," said Sarah Coursey, of the Tavares Police Department.

Police said the men went through the employee's pockets.

"They were able to locate the key to the safe, and they got away with 15 to 18 wireless devices and took off through the back door."

A nearby Lake County deputy followed the suspects.

"They were able to track the cellphones, so they were able to track where the bad guys went," Coursey said.

Police said the chase started on Highway 441 near Orange Avenue in Tavares and continues to state roads 429 and 414 before continuing onto Hiawassee and Clarcona Ocoee roads.

They said the chase continued onto Apopka Vineland and Silver Star roads.

Officials said the chase ended when the two men crashed their car in front of a Pine Hills apartment complex near North Hiawassee Road.

"I just heard a boom and thought, 'That sounds like a car crash,'" said a resident.

Deputies said both men took off running after crashing their vehicle. When deputies caught up with one of the men, John Ilienens Jr., officials said he fatally shot himself.

Investigators said Rha-Heen Rashawn White was later taken into custody.

One woman told Channel 9 she was shocked the incident took place so close to home.

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