Undercover Operation nets CVS Armed Robbery Suspect

Spring Hill — On 8-4-2015 at 5:30 p.m., an unidentified white male entered the CVS Pharmacy located at 9204 Cortez Blvd., Spring Hill.

CVS employees quickly took notice of the man who was wearing a ball cap and a bandana that was covering the lower part of his face.

Employees also noted the man was carrying an unknown object in his right hand.

Shortly after an employee called 911, the man fled the area.

After viewing the surveillance video, deputies noted the man appeared similar in stature to the suspect in the 9-3-2014 armed robbery of the CVS Pharmacy located at 12990 Cortez Blvd., Spring Hill.

On 8-7-2015 at 2:38 p.m., undercover deputies observed a silver minivan pull into the CVS parking lot. Deputies noted the vehicle appeared similar to the one used in the 2014 CVS armed robbery.

On this occasion the man wore a white dust mask in an attempt to conceal his facial features. He was also wearing multiple t-shirts, a ball cap and was carrying a duffel bag similar to the one used in the 2014 armed robbery.

The man entered the store and brandished what appeared to be a black semi-automatic firearm, which was later determined to be a BB gun. He then jumped the counter and demanded employees to lay on the floor.

He ordered the pharmacist to give him all of the Oxycodone.

As the man exited the store with the Oxycodone, he was arrested.

The man was identified as Spring Hill resident David Ryan Lawson W/M DOB/6-9-1979.

He was charged with Armed Robbery and Trafficking in Drugs in reference to Friday’s armed robbery.

Charges are pending regarding the 9-3-2014 armed robbery of another CVS location.

Lawson remains incarcerated at the Hernando County Detention Facility in lieu of a $100,000 bond.