Two Robbed at Knifepoint in Downtown Parking Lot
A knife-wielding man covered head to toe in black clothing reportedly robbed a man and woman parked behind the Dunedin Smokehouse last week. The suspect was last seen fleeing on foot toward Douglas Avenue.
Sheriff’s deputies are searching for an armed robbery suspect who stole property from two people in the parking lot behind the Dunedin Smokehouse on May 1.
A man and woman were in the parking lot behind The Dunedin Smokehouse around 10:40 p.m. when a man dressed in dark clothing “popped out from the bushes” with an 8-inch Santoku kitchen knife in hand, Pinellas County Sheriff’s spokeswoman Cecilia Barreda said.
The suspect demanded money and valuables, which the victims handed over, she said. Then he took off on foot toward Douglas Avenue.
The suspect is described as a black man in his 20s, about 5-foot-8 and 180 pounds. He was wearing a black long-sleeved shirt, black pants, black sneakers, a black bandana covering his head and a black scarf over his face, Barreda said.
Some Dunedin residents have reported that they have seen a man who fits that description during the day over the past few weeks traveling in downtown Dunedin on a bicycle.
Anyone with information is asked to call Pinellas County sheriff’s deputies at 727-582-6177.
The investigation is ongoing.
Hannah Andrews
9:41 pm on Monday, May 7, 2012
How is it breaking news when it happened 6 days ago?!!
Katie Dolac
8:41 am on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
I felt this information posed enough of an immediate public safety risk to warrant a breaking news alert because the suspect is still on the loose and could possibly be continuing to target visitors downtown.
Cecilia
11:53 am on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Katie and all Dunedin Patch Staff,
Thank you for letting those of us who "roam" downtown alone. This information certainly warrants a headline that will capture our attention. Please keep us posted on any new developments.
rich diver
9:03 am on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Start carrying your 38's neighbors!
Sue Barbee
9:11 am on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
The description fits the guy who robbed us at gunpoint in our home in January.
Stephanie Farren
2:40 pm on Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Do you live in the downtown Dunedin area near the trail and did he break into your home while you were inside at night? I did not hear/read about that incident in January.
Lori
10:45 am on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
My dear friends and neighbors were robbed in January at gunpoint by a person who matches this description to a tee!...Yet the investigation has ceased!? Why were they not notified of this "breaking news" as it appears to be a match and maybe the dots could be connected!? Or they could have been warned that hes still out there doing the same thing! This individual obviously has NO intentions of ceasing and will it take someone getting injured or killed for this matter to be brought to the forefront and for LE to be stepped up looking for this person?! Why did this not make the PCS website, news channels or the such?!
Hush, hush in Dunedin?????
STEP UP THE PATROLS LE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Stephanie Farren
3:03 pm on Wednesday, May 9, 2012
As with the person above. I have not heard of the robberies at gunpoint in January anywhere? Do you live in the downtown Dunedin area near the trail?
The reason I ask is that a few weeks ago my husband and I were heading home after walking down Skinner Ave. from the beginning of Main Street at the DePaz restaurant corner. We decided to walk down the trail back to Main Street. I normally do not go on the trail at night but that part is downtown and more lit. There is usually activity around with people coming and going from the Brewery and Jolly Mon's. However, that night is was windy and there was no one anywhere since it was Monday and most places are closed that night. It was pretty late as well. Anyway a guy walk past us at the blinking light at Eli's and then when we were furthur down past Jolly Mon's he was behind us on a smaller BMX type of bicycle. He passed us slowly then stopped ahead of us on the trail sitting on the bicycle. We both got a bad feeling at the same time. We looked at each other and decided to take a quick left turn off of the trail and go on Douglas instead so we never passed him. It could be nothing but I felt like he was up to something. I thought it was strange that the person who did the robbery behind the Smokehouse was seen around town earlier riding a bicycle.
Daniel de Caussin
11:14 am on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
I just checked the phone number in my phone. I had 582-6900. So I added this new number. Thank you. Could we get a sign put up at the park or along the roadside with the phone number so our community all has it and we can react quickly to situations like this?
Katie Dolac
12:37 pm on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
In emergency situations such as crimes in progress, fires, medical emergencies and car crashes, call 9-1-1 immediately. In non-emergency situations, such as to report a crime that has already happened, call 727-582-6900 — which is the main number for North District Station. The number in the story is for anyone with information regarding this incident or if they see anyone fitting the suspect's description.
John Lewis
3:36 pm on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Daniel,
You're so cool.
Lori
11:30 am on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Thats a GREAT idea....But I don't know if the city would spend that money as they just spent $70K on a worthless logo :) :(. City and sheriffs department need to do something ASAP!!!
Cecilia
3:12 pm on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
http://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/crime/article1228979.ece
The descriptions of this man as described in the Tampa Bay Times article sound very similiar to the one described in the Dunedin incident. Please read and see if you agree.
John Lewis
3:34 pm on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Katie,
Thanks for the heads-up. Sometimes we all take the safety of our wonderful little town too lightly. Everyone should stay alert.
Lori
12:56 pm on Wednesday, May 9, 2012
I haven't seen any increased sheriff presence on our street where the armed invasion took place or in downtown.....Anyone???
Lori
2:45 pm on Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Stepanie Farren-I am not going to answer for my neighbors as to what happended in January...but I will say it never made the news or the PCS website as "nobody was injured"....I don't understand why this is so hush-hush....
Lori
4:49 pm on Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Stephanie Farren-At this point appears that all anyone can do is NAG the LE about this...One of the deputies that showed up at the home in January told me "if anything raises the hair on your neck...CALL! So we need to for anything! We pay our taxes and are entitled....