ORLANDO, Fla. – A 20-year-old man, identified as Dylan Hope, was arrested early Tuesday after robbing two gas stations in Deltona and briefly holding a clerk hostage at the second location, the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office confirmed.
The first attempted robbery happened around 1:45 a.m. at the Circle K located at 2196 Howland Blvd. According to deputies, Hope handed the clerk a note demanding money and threatened to shoot him if he didn’t comply. The clerk refused, prompting Hope to flee the scene.
Minutes later, deputies were dispatched to another Circle K, just across the street at 2720 Elkam Blvd, where Hope struck again. As a deputy arrived, he saw the clerk trying to escape. Hope allegedly grabbed the clerk by the neck and dragged him back inside the store.
The clerk managed to break free and run out through the back, escaping the confrontation.
Hope was soon seen inside the store and complied with deputies’ commands to surrender. He was taken into custody without further incident.
Charges Filed:
Hope now faces the following charges:
Two counts of armed robbery
Armed kidnapping
Written threats to kill
False imprisonment
Petit theft
During questioning, Hope reportedly told detectives he held the clerk because he was “trying to think of a better escape plan.”
He is currently being held at the Volusia County Branch Jail without bond.
