Pasco Camera store owner injured by suspected robbers accused of stealing $4K of equipment: Police

New Port Richey police are searching for two men accused of fighting with a New Port Richey camera store owner and stealing $4,000 worth of equipment. 

Smetzer is showing a cannon camera that he has for sale.

Smetzer is showing a cannon camera that he has for sale.

It happened around 9:30 a.m. on Friday at Pasco Camera, located at 5405 Main Street in New Port Richey.

Camera store robbery

What we know:

Deputies say two men entered Pasco Camera under the guise of purchasing equipment.

While inside, one suspect tried to reach over the counter and take a camera from the display case. 

Shortly afterward, investigators said the second suspect vaulted over the counter and took two lenses with a combined value of more than $4,000. 

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Pasco deputies are searching for two suspects accused of robbing a Pasco County camera store on Friday. Image is courtesy of the New Port Richey Police Department. 

The confrontation

Jim Smetzer, one of the owners of the camera store, said the suspects visited the store just minutes after it opened for the day. The whole thing happened in less than 20 minutes. 

"It was a real quick, grab and run," Jim said. "There was a third person waiting in the car, so it was pretty well planned out."

He said one suspect entered the store wearing a gray pullover and blue pants, the other a brown beanie and brown pullover. Both acted suspicious, answering questions about what they were looking for vaguely. 

"You’re kind of aware that this could be a situation where someone is trying to set you up to rob you. I was trying to be extra careful about not leaving things on the counter, moving things to the shelves and it still happened," Jim said.

He said as he set things down to ring them up; the first suspect grabbed a camera and ran out. The second suspect then hopped over the counter and took a pricey lens. 

Jim tried to catch them but fell and cut his pinky finger. 

"When they decided they were going to grab and run, I immediately, just a reflex, ‘no you’re not taking my stuff,’ grabbing back," he said.  "It was scary, because it’s like I’m going to try and stop these guys. I don’t know how I’m going to stop them."

Pasco deputies are searching for two suspects accused of robbing a Pasco County camera store on Friday. Image is courtesy of the Pasco County Sheriff's Office

Pasco deputies are searching for two suspects accused of robbing a Pasco County camera store on Friday. Image is courtesy of the New Port Richey Police Department. 

The escape

Deputies say both suspects ran away from the camera shop and got into a dark-colored Mazda, which was last seen going northbound on U.S. 19. 

After running from the store, deputies said the two suspects got into a dark-colored Mazda. Image is courtesy of the Pasco County Sheriff's Office.

After running from the store, deputies said the two suspects got into a dark-colored Mazda. Image is courtesy of the New Port Richey Police Department.

About Pasco Camera Exchange

Dig deeper:

Jim and Annette Smetzer opened Pasco Camera Exchange on Main Street in 1995. 

"We’re a traditional camera store, but we sell mostly digital, but we occasionally sell film cameras, and we have those as well," Jim said.

He said, because there aren't many shops of his kind left. Many customers travel from other cities. 

"Most of it is people finding us online nowadays and making the trip up from Tampa, from Gainesville, from Ocala to come up and visit the store," Jim said.

What you can do:

The New Port Richey HUB, or Helping Unify Businesses group, is collectively putting up $1,500 for information leading to an arrest. 

Founder Regan Weiss said, "When we saw that video...it's disgusting what happened to him. He's just trying to get up and run after him from the floor."

Weiss said his message to the perps was simple: "Never again. Don't try this in our town. Don't try this in our community. There will be ramifications for you," Smetzer said.

Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact the New Port Richey Police Department at 727-841-4550.

The Source: This information was provided by the New Port Richey Department. FOX 13's Jennifer Kveglis also interviewed the camera stores owners, who detailed their experiences. 

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