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Briefs

Man arrested in series of drugstore robberies

By Times Staff
Published October 11, 2005

WESLEY CHAPEL - A 25-year-old Land O'Lakes man was arrested Thursday, accused in a string of robberies and attempted robberies of pharmacies in Pasco and Hillsborough counties.

Anthony Rumore, of 3518 Lake Padgett Drive, was charged in Pasco County with attempted strong-armed robbery and two counts of robbery, and was also arrested on outstanding Hillsborough warrants.

According to a Pasco sheriff's report, employees at the Walgreens at 28115 State Road 54 thought they had seen a man wanted in the robberies of other Walgreens pharmacies. Deputies rrived at the store and were told the man had spent 11/2 to 2 hours inside without buying anything, hanging around the back wall near the pharmacy.

While being arrested, Rumore dropped a robbery note, the report said, which contained a threat and stated that he had a gun. Rumore told deputies he was never armed, that he needs the medication because of back pain suffered from a 1998 water skooter accident and that he cannot afford a doctor.

Rumore told the deputies he had "done" the Land O'Lakes store twice and the Wesley Chapel one once. In one robbery charge, Rumore is accused of using the note to rob the same Walgreens in August of oxycodone, Oxycontin, morphine, Hydromorphone and Roxycodone. In the other charge he is accused of using the note to rob the Walgreens on Collier Parkway of Oxycontin and Roxycodone.

Two face more charges in thefts of cable gear

The Pasco County Sheriff's Office has tacked on several new grand theft charges for two Hudson men accused of stealing cable TV power supply boxes and other cable supplies.

Kenneth W. Primrose, of 8915 Woodmill Drive, is now charged in connection with the theft of three cable power supply boxes in Port Richey on Sept. 11. Each is valued at $1,800.

According to reports, John W. Putnam, of 8310 Reynolds Drive, is accused of taking cable equipment from locations in New Port Richey and Hudson. The stolen property is valued at $5,400.

More arrests could be forthcoming, sheriff's spokesman Doug Tobin said Monday.

"We believe these people are responsible for up to three dozen" similar thefts, Tobin said.

Both men remained at the Land O'Lakes jail Monday evening.

[Last modified October 11, 2005, 01:58:15]