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String of robberies leads to arrest

A tip sends New Port Richey police to a motel on U.S. 19 in Holiday where the man accused of the crimes was staying.

By CAMILLE C. SPENCER
Published February 9, 2006

To fuel his crack cocaine habit, Jamie Gregory Cash apparently had a plan.

Pasco County sheriff's deputies say he told them that to get money for drugs, he'd rob area stores by pretending to purchase items, steal money from the register after the cashier opened it and flee. Once, he snatched a woman's purse at a grocery store and got away minus the handbag after a melee, according the Pasco County Sheriff's Office.

But, authorities said, Cash's string of robberies and purse snatchings came to an end around noon on Monday after New Port Richey police received a tip that he was staying at the Tahitian Resort, 2337 U.S. 19 in Holiday, said Detective Randy Murphy.

"The door (to his room) was open, and he invited us in," Murphy said. "We were in plain clothes. I said, "Are you Jamie Cash?' and he said "Yes.' I said, "Put your hands up. You're under arrest.' "

Authorities in New Port Richey and Pasco County said they are investigating whether Cash, 31, is connected to other robberies and purse snatchings in the area.

Affidavits from the Pasco County Sheriff's Office provided this account: On Jan. 24 at a CVS store on U.S. 19 in New Port Richey, Cash picked up a bottle of water and went to pay for it at the counter. When the cashier opened the register, Cash lunged over the counter, snatched an unknown amount of money and fled.

On Jan. 30 at a Dollar General store on Massachusetts Avenue in New Port Richey, authorities said, Cash approached the counter to buy a candy bar, then jumped over the counter and took $100 from the register. He and the cashier wrestled until Cash was chased from the store and fled in a vehicle. On Jan. 31 at a Kash n' Karry on State Road 54, Cash tried to steal a woman's purse while she shopped. He was roughed up by a bystander in the store's parking lot. While that bystander was confronted by another man who was unsure who the real purse snatcher was, Cash fled in a vehicle.

On Feb. 5, Cash went to a Dollar General on State Road 54, picked up a small box of Cracker Jacks and proceeded to give the cashier money. When the cash drawer was opened, he reached across and tried to grab money. The clerk tried to close the drawer, but Cash pushed the clerk, grabbed the cash drawer and fled with $300.

Cash, of 6023 Tennessee Ave. in New Port Richey, was being held Wednesday on $65,000 bail at the Land O'Lakes Detention Center.

Cash has faced prior charges for failure to appear, vehicle theft, contempt of court, burglary, cocaine possession and larceny in Hillsborough County, Pasco County, Seminole County, Clearwater and Dade City, records show.

Meanwhile, one of Cash's victims was happy to hear he'd been caught.

Betty Ritchie was doing some late night shopping at a Kash n' Karry on Jan. 31 when Cash allegedly knocked her on the ground and tried to steal her purse.

Hearing of his arrest after a phone call Monday from authorities, Ritchie said she was "surprised it happened so quickly.

"I am sure it had to do with the newspapers and TV."

Camille C. Spencer can be reached in west Pasco at 869-6229 or toll-free at 1-800-333-7505, ext. 6229. Her e-mail address is cspencer@sptimes.com

[Last modified February 9, 2006, 01:31:10]