Pasco Sheriff Calls In FBI To Help Catch Serial Armed Robber

WESLEY CHAPEL, FL – The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office has called in the FBI Violent Crimes Task Force to help apprehend a serial armed robber that the sheriff's office believes is dangerous.

According to Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco, an armed man dressed all in black has committed five robberies at businesses between Zephyrhills and Lutz since Feb. 8. In two cases, he fired his weapon although no one was hit.

“This individual is violent and he’s shooting at people,” said Nocco during a press conference Wednesday, Feb. 14. “We know the violence can escalate. The only way this will end is if the individual turns himself in or, unfortunately, a shootout occurs.”

The most recent robberies occurred Tuesday, Feb. 13. The robber held up the Be Creative Painting Studio at 6013 Wesley Grove Blvd., Wesley Chapel, around 7:30 p.m. and then hit the Subway sandwich shop at 24726 State Road 54, Lutz, at 9:07 p.m.

Prior to that, he held up the Metro PCS store on Gall Boulevard in Zephyrhills (see related story) on Feb. 10, firing his weapon during the robbery.

He also held up a Citgo gas station and Best Western hotel in Wesley Chapel on Feb. 8, firing his gun during the hotel robbery.

“He appears to be targeting locations late at night when there are only a few employees around,” said Nocco. “We’re warning businesses to lock their doors at closing time and try not to have employees work alone.”

Nocco added that it wouldn’t hurt if businesses invested in a high-quality surveillance system. So far, the only videos of the robber have been grainy and blurred.

Nocco said they do know that the robber is a white man in his 20s who hides his appearance with a mask, gloves and black clothing.

“He’s been described as having a deep voice, but that may be a deception to disguise his voice,” Nocco said.

Employees say he’s between 5 feet, 6 inches and 5 feet, 9 inches tall. Metro PCS employees described him as having a slim build and wearing black Nike shoes with a white "Swoosh" logo and white trim around the bottom.

He’s been seen leaving the crime scenes in a white, four-door sedan.

“We’re trying to get anybody who has any information to notify us immediately,” Nocco said. “This is one of those situations that really makes you nervous. Thank God no one’s been harmed, but it’s only a matter of time.”

Anyone with information should contact the sheriff’s office at 1-800-706-2488 or email tips@pascosheriff.org.

Images via Pasco Sheriff