The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office arrested a woman wanted for robbery on Thursday, after finding her hiding in a small cabinet. They simultaneously located a man wanted for probation violation.
Tanya Jean Rego, 31, was charged with robbery and resisting an officer without violence. Austin Robert Nichols, 31, was charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of paraphernalia and probation violation.
Around 10 a.m., deputies responded to a Marathon apartment where they met with a victim who claimed Rego robbed her. A witness was also present, and confirmed that Rego attacked the victim, punching her in the face and causing the victim’s head to hit a car door. The victim said Rego took her car keys, cell phone and debit card.
According to the report, deputies received information about Rego’s location, and responded to the Hyatt Place in Marathon. Deputies smelled a strong odor of marijuana, and immediately detained two men, one of whom was Nichols. Nichols admitted to having amphetamine and a pipe on him.
Deputies searched the room, locating and confiscating multiple pieces of paraphernalia, including several crack pipes. At some point, deputies opened a small cabinet and located Rego hiding inside. Deputies had her exit the cabinet, and she complied. However, when ordered to place her hands behind her back, she began to reach inside a bag. A deputy deployed a stun gun, but it was mostly ineffective. A short struggle ensued, and Rego was ultimately detained.
Nichols and Rego were transported to the Monroe County Detention Center, where they were both being held without bail.
Information in the Crime Report is obtained from reports provided by area law enforcement agencies.
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