March 14, 2009
Brandon Haught
Public Information Office

MAN ROBS BUSINESS NEAR DELAND

The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an armed robbery of a business near DeLand Friday night. A single robber entered the store, Romeo and Juliet’s at 320 S. Spring Garden Ave., at approximately 9:35 p.m. brandishing a handgun and demanding money. The man then grabbed money from the cash register and fled. There was one employee and two customers in the store at the time, but no shots were fired and no one was injured. Several deputies and DeLand Police Department officers set up a perimeter around the scene, and K-9 units and a Sheriff’s Office helicopter participated in a search, but the suspect was not found.

The suspect, who had his face covered, was described as a white male in his mid-20s, approximately 5’10” to 6’ tall and wearing all black clothing. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office at (386) 736-5999 or Crime Stoppers of Northeast Florida, toll-free, at 1-888-277-TIPS.  Callers to Crime Stoppers will remain anonymous and can qualify for a reward of up to $1,000. Individuals can also Text a tip by texting “TIP231 plus the message” to CRIMES.