Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Investigative Operations Bureau
- Robbery & Homicide Unit

Robert Michael Miller (Arrested)
DOB: 07/04/1979
Address: 3699 37^th Street North, St. Petersburg
Charges: One count of First Degree Felony Murder.

Chris Weimer (Victim- Deceased)
DOB: 05/27/1956
Address: 2426 Persian Drive, Unit 34, unincorporated Clearwater

What:
Detectives assigned to the Robbery/Homicide Unit have arrested 38-year-old Robert Miller for murder after he tied up and robbed a Clearwater man causing the victim’s death.  

When:
Deputies located the victim at about 8:14 p.m. on August 17, 2017.

The suspect was charged at about 5:55 p.m. on August 25, 2017.  

Where:
The victim was found in his residence located at 2426 Persian Drive, Unit 34, in unincorporated Clearwater.

Why/How:
Detectives assigned to the Robbery/Homicide Unit have arrested 38-year-old Robert Miller for murder after he tied up and robbed a Clearwater man, causing the victim’s death.

At about 8:14 p.m. on August 17, 2017, deputies responded to a residence located at 2426 Persian Drive, Unit 34, in Clearwater, for a deceased person. According to investigators, deputies found the decomposed body of the victim, 61-year-old Chris Weimer. Weimer’s hands were bound behind his back and a piece of cloth was used as a gag on his mouth.

Detectives say the investigation revealed that on Saturday August 12, 2017, Weimer picked up the suspect 38-year-old Robert Miller in the area of San Remo Drive and Gulf to Bay Boulevard. Weimer, who was not known to Miller, bought crack cocaine from Miller and invited Miller back to his home on Persian Drive.

Detectives say Miller and Weimer stopped off at a local convenience store to buy beer and then went back to Weimer’s residence. While at Weimer’s apartment, Miller became angry when Weimer made sexual advances towards him and struck Weimer in the head with his fist. 

Detectives say Miller tied Weimer’s hands behind his back and placed a gag around Weimer’s mouth. Miller then stole Weimer’s car keys, credit cards and other personal belongings. Miller left Weimer bound, but conscious and still alive inside the apartment during the early morning hours of August 13, 2017.

Over the next several days, Miller used Weimer’s credit cards to purchase merchandise at various local businesses and pawned the items in Pinellas County.

On August 20, 2017, Clearwater Police officers arrested Miller on a burglary criminal charge and he was transported to the Pinellas County Jail.

Detectives interviewed Miller at the Pinellas County Jail on August 25, 2017. Miller admitted to robbing Weimer and leaving the victim bound inside his apartment.

Detectives say Weimer died from being tied up and left on the apartment floor during the course of the robbery.

Miller was charged with one count of First Degree Felony Murder.

Next of kin has been notified.

Video from Sheriff Bob Gualtieri's press conference can be seen here (starts at 21:50 minute mark):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0d0csFP1I-w

The investigation continues.

Robert Michael Miller booking photo