A 44-year-old man described as 6 feet 4 inches tall with brown hair and blue eyes is the target of the latest fugitive alert from Hernando County law enforcement, wanted on a no-bond warrant covering three separate property crime charges. Robert Michael Werthwein faces allegations of defrauding a pawnbroker, dealing in stolen property, and retail theft, according to the warrant details released Monday.
The case was publicized through the Hernando County Sheriff's Office's recurring “Manhunt Monday” social media campaign, which posted Werthwein's photo and physical description as part of an appeal for public tips. In a post shared on X by Hernando Sheriff, deputies listed Werthwein's weight at 250 pounds and his date of birth as February 16, 1982, while confirming he is being held to no bond on the outstanding warrant. The sheriff's office is headquartered at 18900 Cortez Blvd. in Brooksville.
𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗛𝗨𝗡𝗧 𝗠𝗢𝗡𝗗𝗔𝗬
— Hernando Sheriff (@HernandoSheriff) August 10, 2026
Wanted: Robert Michael Werthwein DOB/02-16-1982
Warrant: Defrauding a Pawnbroker, Dealing in Stolen Property, and Retail Theft.
No Bond. pic.twitter.com/WfCD3M4ikd
What the Charges Could Mean
Werthwein's combination of charges — defrauding a pawnbroker, dealing in stolen property, and retail theft — typically points to an investigation where merchandise was allegedly taken from a retail store and then pawned or resold for cash, per an analysis from Tampa Florida Criminal Lawyer. Under Florida Statute 812.019, dealing in stolen property is a second-degree felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison and a $10,000 fine, according to The Law Place, which notes the statute targets commercial distribution and intent to profit rather than the theft itself.
The pawnbroker fraud charge falls under Florida's Pawnbroking Act, Florida Statute 539.001. Knowingly providing false verification of ownership to a pawnbroker is a third-degree felony carrying up to five years in prison when the property is valued under $300, but escalates to a second-degree felony with a possible 15-year sentence if the value reaches $300 or more, per Hanlon Law. Florida law requires pawn shop customers to sign a written statement confirming they are the sole legal owner of any item they pawn.
Retail Theft Charge Tied to Prior Convictions
The retail theft count against Werthwein is also elevated to felony status. Under Florida Statute 812.014(3)(c), a person accused of retail theft with two or more prior theft convictions can be charged with felony petit theft, a third-degree felony punishable by up to five years in prison, according to the Law Office of Matthew Glassman. Florida law also allows prosecutors to charge both theft and dealing in stolen property for the same underlying goods, since the dealing statute specifically penalizes trafficking or fencing stolen merchandise rather than the initial taking.
Public arrest records show Werthwein was booked in neighboring Pasco County on December 18, 2025, on a nearly identical slate of allegations, including dealing in stolen property, providing false owner information for pawned items valued under $300, felony petit theft tied to prior convictions, and drug possession. During that booking, he was held on $5,000 bond for dealing in stolen property and another $5,000 for false pawn verification, according to Recently Booked. Pasco County borders Hernando County to the south along Florida's Nature Coast, and cross-county travel and multi-agency warrant checks are common during local property crime investigations, making the earlier case a notable pattern ahead of the current Hernando warrant.
Part of a Recurring Sheriff's Office Alert Series
Werthwein's case is the latest entry in an ongoing social media effort by the Hernando County Sheriff's Office to spotlight individuals with active, no-bond warrants. Hoodline previously reported on a fraud and contracting suspect featured in an earlier bulletin, as well as a Brooksville man wanted on violent felony warrants and a domestic battery by strangulation suspect flagged in separate “Manhunt Monday” posts. A related case involving a 6-foot-7 fraud fugitive first featured by Hernando County was later picked up by Citrus County's sheriff after the suspect failed to appear in court.
In these recurring alerts, the Hernando County Sheriff's Office has explicitly warned the public not to attempt to approach or apprehend wanted individuals. Anyone who spots Werthwein is instructed to contact the sheriff's non-emergency line at (352) 754-6830, or call 911 in the event of an emergency.
How to Submit an Anonymous Tip
Residents can also route information through Hernando County Crime Stoppers, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit established in 2005 under Florida's Office of the Attorney General and funded without taxpayer dollars. The organization reported receiving 632 anonymous tips in 2025, which contributed to 35 arrests, the location of 20 fugitives, and $16,250 paid out in cash rewards. Tips can be submitted anonymously through the hotline at 1-866-990-8477, by dialing **TIPS, or through the P3 Tips app, with rewards of up to $5,000 available for information leading to an arrest.
As of this report, it remains unclear which retail merchant or pawn shop is connected to the Hernando County investigation, what the estimated value of the property involved might be, or whether Werthwein remains in the Tampa Bay region. All charges against Werthwein are allegations contained in an active warrant, and he has not been convicted of any crime in connection with this case.
