Deputies Catch Suspect Who Attempts Twin Robberies

By  //  December 27, 2012

Suspect Released From Prison Dec. 13

BREVARD COUNTY • MIMS, FLORIDA – Brevard County Sheriff’s deputies arrested a suspect Wednesday they believe is responsible for armed robberies that took place minutes apart in Mims.

Robert J. Barber has been charged with Attempted Robbery and Robbery with a Weapon for trying to hold up a Walgreens and a Dollar General in Mims on Wednesday. (Image courtesy of Brevard County Sheriff’s Office)

Sheriff’s spokesman Lt. Tod Goodyear said Robert J. Barber  of 3410 Oliver Court in Mims, 41, was taken into custody about 5 p.m. Wednesday.

Goodyear said that Barber is a career offender who was just released from prison Dec.13.

Deputies originally responded to a report of an armed robbery at the Walgreens at 2475 North US Highway 1 in Mims when they got word that a second armed robbery was in progress at the Dollar General at 2545 North US Highway 1 just north of the Walgreens.

“The suspect walked up to the front counter in both stores armed with a broken glass bottle and demanded all the money from the cash register,” Goodyear said.

The Walgreens clerk was unable to open her cash register causing the suspect to flee and enter the Dollar General Store.

“At Dollar General, the suspect snatched money from the clerk’s hand,” Goodyear said.

As Barber fled the area, employees from both the Walgreens and Dollar General followed after him.

Deputies on patrol quickly responded to the scene and observed an individual matching Barber’s description running into the wooded area behind the Dollar General.

A perimeter was set up and Barber was apprehended by deputies without further incident.

“We are very thankful to the deputies for their immediate response and the citizens who helped the deputies locate the career criminal,” Brevard County Sheirff Jack Parker said. “Let’s hope he stays in prison a bit longer this time.”

Barber was charged with Attempted Robbery and Robbery with a Weapon and is being held at the Brevard County Jail Complex in Sharpes on a No Bond status.