UPDATE: Suspect Arrested RE: Pierson Pharmacy Robbery Captured On Video

Date Added: December 10, 2017 11:50 am

Andrew Gant
Office of Public Affairs & Media Relations

UPDATE, 12/10/17: This morning, Volusia County sheriff’s detectives charged 27-year-old Kendall A. Rockmore (DOB 7/26/1990), DeLand, in the Nov. 17 robbery at Pierson Community Pharmacy, where several employees were locked into the trunks of their cars while about $65,000 in pills were stolen.

Rockmore, who was only recently released from prison and has been in custody since last week on other charges, is now charged with one count of robbery with a firearm, four counts of kidnapping, grand theft, trafficking Oxycodone, trafficking Hydromorphone and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

No one was injured in the robbery, which happened around 6:30 p.m. Nov. 17 at the pharmacy at 112 E. 1st Ave., Pierson. However, the suspect forced three pharmacy employees into the trunks of two vehicles and locked them in before he robbed the store. One of those victims was 8 months pregnant at the time, and when she told the suspect it was difficult for her to get in the trunk, she said he threatened to kill her and her unborn child if she didn’t listen.

Inside the store, surveillance cameras captured video of the suspect. As detectives reviewed the footage and interviewed pharmacy staff, they learned the pharmacy recently filled a prescription for a new patient: Kendall Rockmore. Upon a review of the video from that day (Nov. 2), it was clear Rockmore was wearing the same pants and shoes worn by the suspect in the robbery footage. Rockmore also had the same distinct walk as the suspect in the robbery. When he watched the video, the pharmacy owner remarked: “I can’t believe that idiot wore the same thing.”

On Wednesday, while the investigation continued, deputies arrested Rockmore on charges of driving without a license and violation of probation. Detectives obtained search warrants for his vehicle and found, among other items, a pair of sunglasses that matched those worn by the suspect in the robbery. Detectives even tracked down where Rockmore bought the sunglasses – a 7-Eleven store at 1043 W. New York Ave., DeLand – and obtained video surveillance that showed him purchasing them shortly before the robbery. He was wearing the same clothes as the robber in the pharmacy video.

Rockmore, who was released from prison in September after serving about 9 years for aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, was being held without bond Sunday at the Volusia County Branch Jail.

Nov. 17, 2017

PIERSON PHARMACY ROBBERY CAPTURED ON VIDEO

Volusia County sheriff’s detectives are investigating the Friday-night robbery of a Pierson pharmacy that was captured on video. The video is up at https://youtu.be/uNy7t4N-9CQ

Deputies responded to the Pierson Community Pharmacy, 112 E. 1st Ave., around 6:23 p.m. Friday. The pharmacist told detectives he was robbed by an unknown male suspect who had a gun tucked in his waistband.

The pharmacist and two employees were at the store at the time. No one was injured in the incident. Surveillance footage showed the pharmacist calmly leading the suspect to a safe containing pill bottles. The suspect got away with some pills and an undisclosed amount of cash.

The suspect was described as a black male possibly in his 20s, wearing sunglasses, a grey hoodie, camouflage cargo pants, dark gloves and white shoes.

Anyone who recognizes the suspect or has information about the robbery is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office or Crime Stoppers of Northeast Florida at 888-277-TIPS. Crime Stoppers tips remain anonymous and may be worth a cash reward of up to $5,000.