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Hernando Today

Robbery Suspect Hospitalized After Shooting Self

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By HERNANDO TODAY STAFF

Published: February 28, 2009

BROOKSVILLE - A robbery suspect was in critical condition Saturday at a Tampa hospital after shooting himself during a chase with deputies, authorities said.

Charles M. Dehart, 45, of Brooksville, was spotted by a deputy shortly after 6 p.m. Friday, according to the Hernando County Sheriff's Office.

He was seen near the intersection of U.S. 41 and State Road 50 driving a 2001 Buick, which matched the description found at the scene of a robbery earlier in the day, according to a media release.

Dehart refused to pull over and drove along Mondon Hill Road and onto Preston Road, deputies said.

A passenger jumped out of the vehicle and was detained. He warned deputies the driver was carrying a handgun.

The sheriff's office would not release the name of the passenger.

Dehart came to a dead end along Richbarn Road and fled on foot into a wooded area. Before deputies could reach him, he pointed a .22-caliber pistol to his head and fired, according to the media release.

He was airlifted to St. Joseph's Hospital in Tampa with life-threatening injuries.

At the time of the incident, Dehart was wanted on a warrant for failure to appear in relation to a DUI charge, deputies said.

The case is still under investigation.

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