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

Michael Robert-Jose Harbaugh (Arrested)
DOB: 02/26/1977
Address: 36 Harbor Oaks Circle, Safety Harbor
Charges: One count of First Degree Felony Murder

David Sommer (Victim- Deceased)
DOB: 09/14/1956
Address: 13 Harbor Oaks Circle, Safety Harbor

What: 
Detectives assigned to the Robbery/Homicide Unit have arrested 40-year-old Michael Robert-Jose Harbaugh for murder. While committing the crime of robbery, the victim died of homicidal violence.  

When: 
Detectives say the murder occurred on June 18, 2017, at about 11:45 p.m.

Deputies located the victim at about 11:25 a.m. on June 19, 2017.

The suspect was charged at about 11:00 a.m. on October 27, 2017.  

Where: 
The victim was found inside of his residence located at 13 Harbor Oaks Circle, Safety Harbor

Why/How:
Detectives assigned to the Robbery/Homicide Unit have arrested 40-year-old Michael Robert-Jose Harbaugh for murder. While in the course of committing a robbery, the victim died of homicidal violence.  

At about 11:24 a.m. on June 19, 2017, deputies responded to a residence located at 13 Harbor Oaks Circle, Safety Harbor for a deceased person. According to investigators, deputies found the body of the victim, 61-year-old David Sommer, after a Meals on Wheels food delivery person alerted deputies to their discovery.  Sommer was found inside his residence and was the victim of homicidal violence.

Detectives say the investigation revealed that on Sunday, June 18, 2017, at about 11:45 p.m.  Michael Robert-Jose Harbaugh told neighbors that Sommer owed him money for yard work completed earlier in the day. Harbaugh, who was a neighbor of Sommer, reportedly went to Sommer’s residence to collect the money. 

Detectives say while in the home, Harbaugh committed the crime of robbery and while in the commission of the robbery the victim died of homicidal violence. Harbaugh was captured on surveillance video entering and exiting the victim’s home.

Detectives say Harbaugh made inconsistent statements to investigators. He identified himself as the person depicted on the surveillance video entering and exiting the victim’s residence. There were no additional persons depicted entering or leaving the residence of the victim after Harbaugh exited the victim’s home and the victim was found deceased by deputies.

On October 27, 2017, detectives arrested Harbaugh on one count of first-degree felony murder. Harbaugh was already in custody since June 20, 2017, for an unrelated charge of violation of probation for felony battery in 2015.

The investigation continues.