IVERNESS, Fla. — A Citrus County liquor store clerk who reported being robbed at gunpoint has been arrested after investigators determined the incident was allegedly planned with the suspect, according to the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies responded Sept. 20 to the Citrus Liquor Store in Inverness after a 46-year-old Renee Bedford reported that a man wearing a Michael Myers Halloween mask entered the store, demanded cash, and fled with money from the register.
The sheriff’s office said detectives quickly noticed inconsistencies after reviewing surveillance footage. Investigators said the video showed Bedford laughing during the incident, and the suspect did not match the description she initially provided to deputies.
A tip submitted through Citrus County Crime Stoppers led detectives to 47-year-old Richard Lassiter, who was identified as a possible suspect.
During an interview, Lassiter allegedly told detectives that Bedford had helped plan the robbery and provided information about the store’s surveillance system and cash-handling procedures.
Investigators later interviewed Bedford, who denied involvement. However, detectives said they developed probable cause to arrest her. During the arrest, deputies allegedly found narcotics in her possession.
Bedford was charged with:
- Principal to armed robbery
- Principal to grand theft
- Possession of fentanyl
- Possession of methamphetamine
- Possession of drug paraphernalia
Lassiter was charged with:
- Robbery with a firearm
- Grand theft
“This case is a perfect example of why thorough investigative work matters,” Citrus County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division Capt. Mat Baird said in a statement.
Both suspects were arrested, and the investigation remains ongoing.
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