Wanted Felon Captured After Robbing Port Richey Store

PORT RICHEY, FL – Pasco County Sheriff’s deputies have apprehended a wanted felon accused of robbing a gas station after skipping out on his probation officer.

Michael Desimone, 29, of 4333 Bayside Village Drive, Tampa, fled from Hillsborough County on Dec. 26 after being told by his probation officer that he violated his federal probation and would be sent to prison.

After taking off, Desimone reportedly walked into the RacTrac convenience store at 6839 Ridge Road in Port Richey at 3:50 a.m. Dec. 27 where he poured himself a drink, handed the clerk money and then walked behind the counter. After pushing the clerk, he grabbed cash from the register.

He was positively identified through a surveillance video at the store and apprehended by Pasco deputies Thursday, Dec. 28, on Rowan Road and Trouble Creek Road in New Port Richey after being spotted by deputies in a gray sport utility vehicle. When Desimone spotted the sheriff’s patrol car, he jumped out of the SUV and fled across Rowan Road but was chased and caught by deputies. A robbery charge has been tacked on to his pending federal charges.

Pasco County Sheriff's Office photo