Cocoa Beach Man Found With Painted Airsoft Gun, Robbery Note

Edgewater, FL - Edgewater police charge a Cocoa Beach man with conspiracy to commit a robbery after finding a painted airsoft gun and a note demanding cash in his car at the time of his arrest. The Edgewater Police Department (EPD) was first made aware of 29-year-old Joshua Donna after officers found him operating a red Chrysler van with stolen license plates near South Ridgewood Avenue and Roberts Road. Officers attempted a traffic stop on the vehicle, but Donna fled at a high rate of speed. As Donna drove towards the dead-end of Fern Palm Drive, he rapidly accelerated at two EPD officers. At that point a short vehicle pursuit was authorized until Donna’s driving actions became too hazardous, leading officers to call in air support. The van eventually became disabled in the 200 block of Oak Street, where Donna tried to flee on foot. He was located in the yard of a home where he was taken into custody with the assistance of the New Smyrna Beach Police Department and the Volusia Sheriff’s Office. Officers searched the abandoned van and discovered a bag with an airsoft pistol with a black-painted tip to make it look like a real firearm, a face mask, gloves and a wig. Police additionally located a robbery note instructing the potential victim to turn over money. Donna was then arrested and charged with aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, aggravated fleeing and eluding, reckless driving, theft, and conspiracy to commit robbery. He currently remains in custody at the Volusia County Branch Jail. According to records from the Brevard County Jail, Donna was arrested in 2017 for driving with a license suspended or revoked, and again in 2018 for grand theft and scheme to defraud. The investigation into this incident remains active and ongoing. Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact the Criminal Investigations Division at (386) 424-2400 ext. 2108.