Deputies seek pair in attack at Dade City bar

Two victims are shot and the suspects take $9,000 in jewelry.

By Helen Anne Travis, Times Staff Writer
Published February 28, 2008

DADE CITY - Pasco Sheriff's deputies are on the lookout for two men they believe robbed and shot a 32-year-old man and his teenage nephew outside Grown Folks bar Tuesday night.

Ranard Miller, of New Port Richey, and his 15-year-old nephew were listening to music outside the bar when two men approached them and demanded money, according to deputies.

One of the men struck Miller twice in the face with his gun before shooting him in the back as he tried to run away, deputies said Miller told them.

The teen, whose name the Times is withholding, told deputies he put some of his jewelry in his pockets when he saw the men had guns. The suspects demanded money from the teen and made him give them his denim shorts, deputies said. They shot the teen in the leg as he tried to run away, according to the arrest report.

Miller and his nephew got a ride to Pasco Regional Medical Center. The hospital notified the sheriff's office about the pair's gunshot wounds.

Miller was transported to Tampa General Hospital, the report said. His condition was not known Wednesday afternoon.

The teen was treated at Pasco Regional Medical Center and released Tuesday night.

According to state records, Miller has been convicted in the past for larceny, grand theft, cocaine possession and battery.

Tuesday night, deputies said he was the victim. The suspects stole more than $9,000 worth of jewelry from Miller and his nephew.

Pasco deputies are looking for two black men in their 20s. Both are around 6 feet and wear their hair in dreadlocks. One is described as slender and has long black hair, the other has a large build and short black hair.

Deputies believe the suspects left in a dark, long, newer model Cadillac.

Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Jim Medley toll-free at 1-800-854-2862, ext. 5011.

Helen Anne Travis can be reached at htravis@sptimes.com or 352 521-6518.

[Last modified February 27, 2008, 22:23:32]