SPRING HILL, FL. – On Thursday just after 1 p.m., Hernando County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the Circle K, located at 6227 Deltona Boulevard in Spring Hill, regarding a male who was attempting to steal vehicles from the parking lot.
Upon arrival, deputies met with a male victim, who told investigators that he arrived at the Circle K in his 2021 Hyundai Elantra and parked in a parking space right in front of the store.
While parking the car, the victim observed a male standing outside the store. The victim exited his vehicle and entered the store.
The man said that he left the vehicle running, as his adult son was sitting in the front passenger seat.
Once the man was inside the store, the suspect, later identified as Timothy Holbert, entered the Hyundai Elantra via the unlocked driver’s door. When Holbert noticed the adult male in the passenger seat, he turned to him and said, “Wanna go for a ride?” Holbert then began backing out of the parking space.
Immediately, the adult male in the passenger seat attempted to stop Holbert by trying to push him out of the vehicle. This led to a physical altercation inside the vehicle, between Holbert and the adult male passenger.
During the altercation, Holbert punched the adult male in the face numerous times and attempted to wrap the seat belt around his neck. During this time, the adult male was able to shut off the vehicle.
The mans father exited the store and saw the melee going on inside his vehicle and pulled Holbert out of the vehicle.
Holbert then ran to 2006 Chevrolet Avalanche, which was also parked in the parking lot. The vehicle was locked and unoccupied. Holbert pulled on the driver’s door handle, in an apparent attempt to open the door. The door wouldn’t open; however, Holbert used such force pulling the handle, the handle broke.
The owner of the Chevrolet Avalanche (who was inside the store) saw what was happening in the parking lot and requested the store employees to call 9-1-1. He then exited the store and approached his own vehicle, at which time Holbert fled the area.
A third customer, who was also witnessing the events unfold, used his phone to record images of Holbert as he fled the area.
Patrol deputies, with assistance from K-9, converged on the area in an attempt to locate Holbert.
Upon viewing the video on the customer’s phone, two deputies were able to positively identify Holbert, as they both had previous law enforcement encounters with him.
Just before 4:30 p.m., a citizen called 9-1-1 to report a sighting of Holbert in the area of Shannon Avenue and Freeport Drive. Deputies, who were still in the area searching, immediately responded and placed Holbert in custody.
Holbert did not wish to provide a statement to deputies.
Timothy James Holbert, Sr., DOB/10-27-1991 was charged as follows:
- Carjacking
- False Imprisonment
- Conveyance Burglary
- Grand Theft Auto
- Bond – $57,000.
Holbert was also found to be on felony probation for Grand Theft Motor Vehicle and was charged accordingly. The Violation of Probation charge will have a No Bond status.
“We would like thank not only the observant citizen who spotted Holbert and alerted us to his location, but also all citizens who receive our alerts via the Sheriff’s App, HCSO social media platforms, nextdoor, etc., who provide tips and information. Thank you for working together with us to keep Hernando County a safe place to live, work, and play,” said Hernando County Sheriff’s Office in a statement.
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