Routine Traffic Stop Leads To Arrest of Accused Serial Robber

WESLEY CHAPEL, FL – Although the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office called in the FBI’s Violent Crimes Task Force to help solve a series of five armed robberies, the case was solved during a routine traffic stop rather than with advanced investigative techniques.

The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office had initiated a manhunt to find the man responsible for a string of armed robberies in the Wesley Chapel area in February.

On Sunday, March 11, Pasco Sheriff’s Cpl. Andrew Denbo conducted a routine traffic stop at Bruce B. Downs Boulevard and Eagleston Drive in Wesley Chapel and ended up arresting a man who confessed to the crimes.

Denbo noticed that the car he stopped matched the description of one involved in the series of armed robberies in Wesley Chapel.

Upon searching the car, Denbo discovered a 9 mm Glock, mask, clothing and the distinctive black Nike shoes with a white "Swoosh" logo and white trim around the bottom that had been described by victims of the robberies.

While waiting for backup, Denbo initiated a conversation with the driver, Robert Dayon Dumas, 23, of 6121 Bridleford Drive, Wesley Chapel, who ended up confessing to robbing the Citgo gas station, the Best Western Hotel, the Metro PCS store, Be Creative Painting Studio and the Subway sandwich shop in February.

Pasco Sheriff Chris Nocco called in the FBI for assistance in February after the armed robber fired shots during two of the robberies. Nocco feared the robber’s behavior was becoming increasingly dangerous and out of control.

Nocco plans to hold a press conference Monday at 1:30 p.m. to discuss details of the arrest.

Images via Pasco County Sheriff's Office