Man arrested for drive-thru robbery

Suspect found hiding in cow feeder

Alachua Police Department (APD) officers apprehended a robbery suspect Saturday night following a robbery at Pizza Vito.

According to police, Matthew Prose, 22, pulled into the drive-thru at Pizza Vito in a maroon Dodge truck at about 4:15 p.m. and handed the clerk a handwritten note. The note said that Prose had a gun and instructed the clerk to hand him the money in the register. After taking the money, Prose fled.

Police responded and received a tip that the suspect's vehicle had been seen heading toward Traveler’s Campground. After finding the vehicle abandoned in the parking lot, police spotted Prose fleeing toward the rear of the campground. With assistance from High Springs Police Department and Alachua County Sheriff's K9 unit, officers established a perimeter and found Prose hiding inside a cow feeder. He was arrested and charged with armed robbery and resisting arrest. A search yielded about $100 in cash.

Although officers believe Prose never had a weapon, he could still be charged with armed robbery, said APD Officer Jesse Sandusky.

Armed robbery, a first-degree felony, carries a penalty of up to 30 years in prison. Prose, who has several felonies on his record and was arrested in late November on charges of simple battery, faces a lengthy sentence if charged with and convicted of armed robbery.