Man Accused Of Armed Robbery Of Tarpon Springs Jewelry Store

TARPON SPRINGS, FL — A 39-year-old man is in custody after being accused of robbing a jewelry store Monday.

Tarpon Springs police were alerted at 6:42 p.m. that an armed robbery was in progress at the One Life Jewelry at 836 Dodecanese Blvd.

Officers reviewed the store's surveillance video and distributed an image of the robber to patrol officers. At 7 p.m., a man matching the description of the robber was seen by an officer near the intersection of Hope and Ada streets.

Jeremy Paquette said he was looking for his lost dog but, when police searched him, they found a large amount of money on him.

A witness later identified him as the armed robber, and he was arrested at 7:23 p.m.

A few minutes later, police found a gun and some clothing hidden in some bushes at Cocoris Park.

Paquette was charged with robbery with a firearm and felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.