Crime & Safety

Pill Robbery Planned Through Texts

The robbery of a Clearwater man for his prescription pills Thursday was planned by a Largo man through text messages, according to Clearwater Police.

The armed robbery of a Clearwater man for his prescription pills Thursday was set up by 34-year-old Nicolas Stanislaw Simons, of Largo, through text messages, according to Clearwater Police. 

Joseph Samnik III, 43, went to pick up his prescription of oxycodone with Simons, Thursday afternoon. Then they went back to Samnik's home on Mandalay Avenue, according to police.

Soon after, Steven John Slattery came through the front door at around 2:52 p.m. robbing Samnik for the pills at gunpoint, according to police.

Slattery, of Belleair, then left in a gold 1998 Chevrolet S-10 pickup, according to police.

Slattery’s car was seen heading eastbound on  and pulled over by a Clearwater Police sargeant, according to officials.

That is when Slattery said Simons set the whole thing up through text messages, according to police. Officers confirmed the plan through the messages and arrested and charged both men with armed robbery.

Simons was also arrested and charged violation of probation. And Slattery, 53, was also arrested and charged possession of a controlled substance, drug paraphernalia and violation of probation.


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