Bungling Would-Be Robber Tossed Out By Burly Store Clerk

HUDSON, FL -- A man who Pasco County Sheriff's deputies say was behind a string of attempted robberies in Hudson met his match when he walked into the Sunoco service station on State Road 52.

Thomas John Adam, 69, of Aquarius Drive in Port Richey, was arrested Wednesday in connection with two attempted robberies and one successful robbery within a one-mile area along State Road 52 on Tuesday, Jan. 29.

According to the sheriff's office, the first attempted robbery occurred at the Regions Bank on State Road 52 and Zimmerman Road at about 1 p.m. A man, later identified as Adam, pulled up to the drive-through window in a black Volkswagen and told the bank teller, "I have a gun; give me $100." The teller simply walked away from the window and the robber left empty-handed.

He fared no better during his second attempt at the Sunoco service station convenience store at 7636 SR 52. Clerk Robert Ray said he walked up to the counter and told Ray, "I've got a gun; give me your money."

Instead of handing over the cash in the till, the tall, muscular clerk grabbed the would-be robber, placed him in a choke hold, dragged him to the front door of the convenience store and unceremoniously tossed him to the ground outside.

Surveillance video in the store caught the entire episode.

The robber then headed to the Hudson Alterations and Dry Cleaning at 8131 State Road 52 where he, again, told the owner that he had a gun and ordered her to hand over her money. When she said she didn't have any, he told her to open the cash register. He then grabbed several $20 and $10 bills.

On Wednesday, the sheriff's office received a call from a resident about a car matching the description of the one driven by the robber parked on Aquarius Drive.

When detectives questioned Adam, he admitted to robbing the dry cleaners but declared, "I'm going to give her the $70 back."

He also admitted to going to the Sunoco, stating, "I did't get sh...t; some guy threw me out."

He said he didn't recall the attempted robbery at Regions Bank. But detectives showed the bank surveillance video of the attempted robbery to Adam and his fiance who stated to detectives, "That's him."

Although he claimed to have a gun, Adam said he didn't actually possess one.

Nevertheless, he was charged with armed robbery and attempted armed robbery with a weapon.

Images via Pasco Sheriff

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