Two Arrested for Murder of Business Owner in Unincorporated St. Petersburg

Two Arrested for Murder of Business Owner in Unincorporated St. Petersburg

Detectives assigned to the Robbery & Homicide Unit have arrested two people for murder after they killed a business owner in unincorporated St. Petersburg and fled to south Florida.

At about 8:20 a.m. on August 28, 2017, deputies were called to the Fabmaster D Machinery LLC business located at 10597 Oak Street NE, in unincorporated St. Petersburg, for a welfare check. According to detectives, an employee arrived to open the business and could not gain entry or locate the business owner, 54-year-old Christopher Dykes, who lived on site. The employee called 911 and deputies responded. Concerned for Dykes’ safety, deputies forced entry and found evidence of a struggle. Deputies located Dykes deceased inside the business.

It was obvious Dykes was the victim of a homicide. During the course of the investigation, detectives identified 24-year-old Jaritza Diaz and 34-year-old Christopher Robertson, both of St. Petersburg, as suspects in Dykes’ murder. Detectives say Diaz and Robertson were both known to Dykes. Diaz was employed by Dykes for a short period of time.

Detectives from the Miami-Dade Police Department located Diaz and Robertson in a hotel room at the Serena Inn located at 26480 S. Dixie Highway, in Homestead, Florida. On Saturday September, 2, 2017, Pinellas detectives responded to Homestead, Florida, and assisted with the arrest of Diaz for the Pinellas County Grand Theft Auto warrant.

Robertson was arrested by the Miami-Dade Police Department for Aggravated Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer following an incident that occurred during Diaz’s arrest. Diaz and Robertson were transported to the Turner Guilford Knight Correction Center in Miami-Dade County.

Detectives from the Miami-Dade Police Department obtained search warrants that were executed in Homestead, Florida. Detectives recovered forensic evidence connecting Diaz and Robertson to Dykes’ murder.

On September 4, 2017, Pinellas detectives obtained Pinellas County warrants charging Diaz and Robertson with First Degree Murder. Diaz and Robertson are being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correction Center in Miami-Dade County Diaz and Robertson will be transported back to Pinellas County.

The investigation continues.