Suspect Identified in Bloomingdale Avenue Shooting

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office has identified the Valrico man who was shot last night by a Hillsborough County Sheriff's detective.

Thomas Noettl, 30, of 4719, is in critical condition at Tampa General Hospital after being shot by Detective Charles Boswell, 41, a 19-year sheriff's veteran assigned to the criminal investigation unit.

According to the sheriff's office, Noettl is charged in connection with the robbery of Grow Financial Credit Union, 604 Bloomingdale Ave., Brandon, yesterday.

A man entered the credit union at about 12:40 p.m. where he passed a demand note to the teller and implied he had a weapon. As the robber exited the bank with an undisclosed amount of cash, a dye pack in the bank bag exploded. The robber fled the scene in a four-door Lexus.  

A short time later the Sheriff's Office received a call reference about a reckless driver on State Road 60. The caller was able to provide a tag number and vehicle description. That description led detectives to the registered owner and address at 4719 Bloomingdale Avenue, Valrico, where Noettl lives with his parents.

When detectives arrived at the home, they discovered money in the garage that was consistent with money from the robbery. An arrest warrant was secured and Noettl was located at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino where he was arrested.  A search warrant was secured for the residence at 4719 Bloomingdale Ave. and, after an interview with the suspect who was cooperative, detectives returned to the residence where the suspect told them he had portions of the money from the bank.

According to sheriff's reports, as detectives entered the residence with Noettl through the garage area, Noettle armed himself with a knife from the kitchen. He was ordered to drop the weapon several times but failed to do so, according to the sheriff's office.  That's when Boswell, who entered the home directly behind Noettl, fired several shots, striking Noettl. 

In a press conference, Sheriff David Gee said he did not know how many bullets struck Noettl but said he is in "very critical" condition. 

Noettle has been remote booked at the hospital, charged with robbery.

Boswell has been placed on administrative leave with pay pending review of the investigation.