A 12-year-old boy from Sugarloaf Key was taken into custody on Monday, March 2, 2026, after deputies say a theft at a Big Pine Key pharmacy turned into a frightening confrontation behind the store. Investigators report the juvenile pulled out what looked like a handgun and pointed it at another youth, who ran off because he feared for his life. Deputies later found the weapon and determined it was a BB gun, and no injuries were reported.
Monroe County deputies identified the suspect as Jose Alcides Guevara. According to investigators, three male juveniles were inside the pharmacy when two of them saw Guevara attempting to steal merchandise and alerted an employee, which led to him being escorted out. When the two witnesses later left the store, deputies say Guevara confronted them and told them to follow him behind the building, where he revealed what "appeared to be a handgun." The weekend incident and subsequent arrest were first reported by the Tampa Free Press.
Charges and what the law says
Guevara was charged with aggravated assault, which under Florida law is defined as an assault "with a deadly weapon without intent to kill" or with an intent to commit a felony and is classified as a third-degree felony. The elements and penalties for aggravated assault are outlined by the Florida Senate. Because Guevara is a juvenile, the case will be handled through Florida’s juvenile process, which relies on intake and screening to decide whether a youth is released to a guardian, held in detention, diverted, or referred for formal delinquency proceedings, according to the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice.
Weapon recovered, no injuries reported
Deputies located the weapon behind the pharmacy and determined it was a BB gun. Investigators state that the victim ran because he believed the gun was real and feared for his life. No one was physically hurt, and following the investigation, Guevara was arrested and processed on the aggravated assault charge. The sheriff’s office account of the confrontation and arrest was reported by the Tampa Free Press.
What happens next
The case will move through the juvenile system, where prosecutors and juvenile-court intake officers decide whether diversion, informal supervision, or formal adjudication is appropriate. The Department of Juvenile Justice notes that responses are matched to the seriousness of the allegation and the needs of the youth, with community-based programs often included in diversion or rehabilitation plans. Families should be aware that certain serious convictions, including aggravated assault, can limit whether a record can later be sealed or expunged; the Florida Department of Law Enforcement explains which records and convictions are ineligible.
Authorities say the investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. This report will be updated if prosecutors file additional charges or officials release further details.
