FOUR ARRESTED IN DELAND BAR ROBBERY

According to the Volusia County Sherrif's Office, four young men eager to get some quick cash targeted a bar near DeLand early Monday morning for what they thought would be an easy robbery. One armed himself with a gun and along with a partner burst into the business and demanded money. One shot was fired, narrowly missing a bartender. 

Within minutes the pair grabbed about $300 and a patron’s wallet and fled to meet up with the other two men waiting in the getaway vehicle nearby. 

However, as they sped away they encountered a police patrol car and so veered down a side road where they abandoned the car and fled on foot. 

The car was discovered by law enforcement and it didn’t take long for the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office to connect it to the robbers. 

All four, ranging in age from 17 to 24 years old, were arrested within days of the crime.

Sheriff’s Office deputies and DeLand Police Department officers responded to a report of a robbery at Pat’s Place, 1204 E. New York Ave., at about 12:20 a.m. 

The three victims who were in the bar said that two masked men had barged in and shouted “Everyone give me your money!” When the victims initially seemed incredulous, the armed robber, later identified as 24-year-old Thomas Miller, fired his gun and the bullet flew close by the bartender’s head and lodged in a wall behind her. In fear for her life, the bartender handed over about $300 from the business’s safe. 

Then the unarmed robber, later identified as 20-year-old Mark Dyer, grabbed a customer’s wallet and the pair fled.

Waiting in a car nearby was 18-year-old Kyle Bellantoni, who was driving, and 17-year-old Kelley Anderson. Once Miller and Dyer were inside, Bellantoni drove away but got spooked when a car with bright lights got behind them. 

It turned out to be a DeLand Police officer. Bellantoni sped away and turned out his lights as he weaved through the city streets. He eventually parked near the intersection of Alexandria Circle and Persea Court. All four got out and ran away.

The car was found by DeLand officers at 1:28 a.m. It was determined that it belonged to Michelle Rocco who lives in DeLand. 

Sheriff’s Office investigators later spoke with Rocco and learned that her son, Anderson, had borrowed the car and that all four suspects had returned to her apartment later and were talking about the robbery they had just committed. 

This information led to the arrest of Bellantoni on Wednesday at Rocco’s apartment where he was staying. Anderson, who lives with a relative in Crescent City, was arrested at Crescent City High School on Thursday. Dyer and Miller were found at the Volusia County Fairgrounds Thursday night and arrested. 

All four gave statements to investigators that corroborated each person’s participation in the robbery.

Miller was charged with attempted felony murder, robbery with a firearm, armed burglary, assault with intent to commit a felony, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon and violation of probation.

Bellantoni was charged with principle to attempted felony murder, principle to robbery with a firearm, principle to armed burglary and principle to assault with intent to commit a felony.

Anderson was charged with principle to attempted felony murder, principle to robbery with a firearm, principle to armed burglary and principle to assault with intent to commit a felony.

Dyer was charged with attempted felony murder, robbery with a firearm, armed burglary and assault with intent to commit a felony.

Miller, Bellantoni and Dyer were booked into the Volusia County Branch Jail in Daytona Beach. Anderson was transported from Putnam County to the Volusia Regional Juvenile Detention Center in Daytona Beach.