Cocoa Police Apprehend Convenience Store Armed Robbery Suspect Robert Cavanaugh
By Space Coast Daily // February 20, 2018
suspect facing charges of armed robbery and violation of probation
BREVARD COUNTY • COCOA, FLORIDA — A suspect who robbed a convenience store clerk and attempted to rob another, one at gunpoint, the other implying a gun, in two separate incidents, was arrested late Monday just hours after the crime spree.
According to Cocoa Police Public Information Officer Yvonne Martinez, Robert Jason Cavanaugh, 42, was arrested after patrol officers saw him walking shirtless along the 900 block of Peachtree Street.
Cavanaugh is facing charges of armed robbery and violation of probation.
Matinez sad that at approximately 4 p.m. Monday, patrol officers responded to the WAWA, located at 923 King Street, after receiving a report of an attempted armed robbery.
“The clerk reported a white male wearing a blue shirt and tan pants told her he would ‘have a better day if she gave him all the money in the cash register,'” said Martinez. “The clerk acted confused and the suspect fled.”
About three hours later at 6:53 p.m., patrol officers responded to the 7-11 at 947 Dixon Boulevard after receiving a 911 call from the employees reporting a robbery.
“The clerk reported a man with the same description showed a firearm under his shirt and demanded money,” said Martinez. “The clerk complied and the suspect fled on foot, shedding his black ball cap and a blue t-shirt.”
The suspect’s description was posted on patrol bulletins for officers to be on the lookout for the suspect and surveillance photos were immediately broadcast on social media and local news channels.
“During C-Squad patrol duties, Officer Adam Phan saw a suspect matching the description posted in the BOLO,” said Martinez. “Officer Phan approached the suspect and was able to arrest him without incident.”
There were no injuries in either incident.
Cavanaugh is being held at the Brevard County Detention Center under a $50,000 bond. A judge scheduled his arraignment for March 15.
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