$3K Worth Of Cigarettes Stolen From Bradenton Gas Station: Police

BRADENTON, FL — Officers are investigating the theft of nearly $3,000 worth of cigarettes from a Shell gas station early Friday morning, Bradenton police said in a news release.

Just before 4 a.m., three men broke into the gas station located in the 3600 block of Cortez Road W., using a rock to shatter the glass front door, police said. They entered the store and filled a large garbage bag they brought with them with 39 cartons of cigarettes.

The suspects were in the store for about one minute before leaving in 2021/22 Hyundai Elantra, which appeared to have black rims, police said. The license plate was covered with a towel or shirt.

The suspects wore black hoodies, dark-colored pants and gloves. One of the suspects had bright blue laces on his sneakers, according to police.

Anyone who recognizes the suspects or has information about the case is asked to contact Detective Sherry Nichols at 941-932-9316 or at sherry.nichols@bradentonpd.com.