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Port Richey Man Accused in Robberies Along State Road 52

Thomas John Adam | Pasco Sheriff | Arrests

He admitted to two robberies but said he didn’t remember attempting to rob a bank, Pasco deputies said.

PASCO COUNTY – Deputies arrested a Port Richey man after he confessed to two robberies along State Road 52, the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office said.

Thomas John Adam, 69, of Port Richey, was charged with two counts of Robbery and one count of Attempted Robbery with Firearm or Deadly Weapon.

All the incidents happened Tuesday (Jan. 29) at businesses along SR 52.

One robbery took place at the Hudson Sonoco gas station, 7636 SR 52 in Hudson. Deputies said Adam entered the store and, saying he had a gun in his pocket and demanded the attendant give him $100. The attendant came from behind the counter and put Adam in a chokehold from behind. He then walked Adam out of the business and threw him to the ground. Adam walked away.

Adam later admitted the robbery and told deputies, “I didn’t get shit. Some guy threw me out.”

Deputies said Adam had injuries to the right side of his face and neck, which he said he got when he was thrown out of the store. Adam also denied having a gun.

Another incident took place at Hudson Alterations and Dry Cleaning, 8131 SR 52 in Hudson. Deputies said Hudson entered the business and told the woman behind the counter that he had a gun in his pocket and to give him $100. When she told Adam she had no money to give him, he demanded she open the register. She did and gave him several $10 and $20 bills. It’s unclear how much money he got. Adam left the store and got into a black Volkswagen Jetta.

The woman went to a neighboring business and told the owner she had just been robbed. Deputies said that owner approached Adam and asked if he had taken money from the woman. Adam admitted that he had and that he had a gun in his pocket. He then drove away.

When deputies caught up with him, they said Adam admitted the robbery, saying, “I robbed the Chinese woman but I’m gonna give her the $70 back.” He denied having a gun. He also described the business as a “tailor shop” on SR 52 in a plaza with “Little Caesars.”

In the third incident, deputies said Adam drove a black Volkswagen into the drive-through of the Regions Bank, 7512 SR 52, in Port Richey. He told the teller, “I have a gun in my pocket. Give me $100.” The teller walked away from the drive through window for her safety. Adam did not get any money. The robbery attempt was caught on surveillance video.

Deputies received a tip Wednesday (Jan. 30) from a citizen who reported seeing the Volkswagen.

Pasco Sheriff | Crime | Robbery | Arrests | Tampabay News

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