May 5, 2003
Gary Davidson
Public Information Officer

REWARD OFFERED IN SEARCH FOR DELAND MAN ACCUSED OF ATTEMPTED ROBBERY 

The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office is hoping reward money will generate clues on the whereabouts of a 27-year-old DeLand man accused of roughing up a local businessman last month while trying to rob his clothing store. The robbery was thwarted, and the suspect – Frederick B. Grimes – fled the store empty-handed. An anonymous tip led investigators to Grimes, who’s wanted on three open felony warrants charging him with attempted armed robbery, aggravated battery and carrying a concealed weapon during the commission of a felony. 

The attempted robbery took place on April 17 at Romeo and Juliet’s Clothing Store on South Woodland Boulevard in DeLand. The store owner said the suspect grabbed him, threw him on the ground, then hit him in the head with a telephone before pulling out a handgun and demanding money.  The intruder rifled through the victim’s pockets looking for money, but didn’t find any. Bleeding from a head wound, the victim managed to break free and run out of the store while the suspect was trying without success to get into the cash register. 

While the suspect wasn’t captured, investigators quickly learned that he lived near South Adelle Avenue and was known around town as Fred. The next big break came when an anonymous tipster described a house where the suspect lived. The residence turned out to be 806 S. Adelle Ave., where Grimes used to live. Investigators obtained arrest warrants last week calling on Grimes to be taken into custody on $26,000 bond, but have been unable to locate him. Anyone with information that helps the Sheriff’s Office find Grimes can qualify for a reward of up to $1,000 through Crime Stoppers of Volusia & Flagler Counties. Callers to Crime Stoppers will remain anonymous. The toll-free phone number for the tip line is 1-888-277-TIPS.