Deputies Searching for Armed Robbery Suspects

The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office is looking for help identifying two men it says robbed two Lutz area stores in the early morning hours of Feb. 20.

Deputies say the men are believed to be connected to at least seven cases that span into Hillsborough County.

The Feb. 20 incidents in Pasco began around 2 a.m. when the 7-Eleven at 23434 State Road 54 in Lutz was robbed. In this incident, two male suspects with hoodies and masks entered the store, threatened the clerk and left with an undisclosed amount of money, a sheriff’s office media release said.

About 20 minutes later, the Circle K at 27707 State Road 54 in Wesley Chapel was held up by a man in a hoodie and mask. The man held the clerks at gunpoint and left with an undisclosed amount of money, the release said.

“We now believe the suspects are related to at least seven cases in Pasco and Hillsborough counties,” wrote sheriff’s office spokesman Doug Tobin.

Those other robberies include a Feb. 12 incident at a Zephyrhills store and two in Hillsborough County.

The Hillsborough County robberies also took place Feb. 20.

The first incident occurred around 12:30 a.m. when the Shell gas station at 3435 N. Lakeview Drive in the Carrollwood area was struck. A short while later, armed robbers hit the 18902 N. Dale Mabry Highway 7-Eleven in Lutz.

In his media release, Tobin indicated a group might be responsible for the robberies.

“In all, we believe the group is responsible for at least 5 armed robberies
that have occurred in Pasco County and two in Hillsborough County,” he wrote.
Anyone with information about the suspects or robberies is asked to call the Pasco Sheriff's Office Crime Tipsline at 1-800-706-2488.