Crime & Safety

Smoke Shop Employee Shoots Burglar

The would-be burglar was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital early this morning.

A Town ‘N Country man picked a bad night to break into the Smoke Shop.

That’s according to Tampa Police officials who say employee Shane Hiser, 24, had decided to stay overnight on Monday following a recent burglary at the 1412 W. Waters Ave., Suite 102 store. When a would-be burglary broke in at 3 a.m. Tuesday, Hiser of 16016 Marshfield Drive in the Carrollwood area, was ready.

Hiser confronted the burglar and a fight broke out, police spokeswoman Andrea Davis wrote in an email to media. During that fight, Hiser ended up shooting the man.

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Dillon Trujillo, 22, of 4540 W. Knox St. in the Town ‘N Country area, was taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, Davis said.

Trujillo is no stranger to law enforcement. He already had a warrant out for his arrest and now burglary charges are pending. He’s been arrested several times in the past on charges including grand theft auto, felony battery and drug possession, according to jail records.

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The shooting itself remains under investigation.

Photo credit: Dillon Trujillo/Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office

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