Possible Serial Robbers in Custody, Cops Say

A late-night robbery of a Seminole Heights restaurant may have led Tampa Police to the men wanted in connection with several recent crimes.

According to the Tampa Police Department, Sunday’s incident occurred around 11 p.m. when three men entered the back door of Fodder & Shine, 5910 N. Florida Ave., and held the employees at gunpoint.

“One suspect forced an employee to open the safe and remove cash while the other suspects robbed the employees,” an email to media from the agency stated.

With loot in hand, the men took off in a Mitsubishi Lancer, the email said.

What the suspects didn’t know at the time was that extra officers were already working in the area due to a recent robbery pattern. These officers, the email said, spotted the getaway car and began a pursuit. The men inside the car, however, bailed out on foot in different directions.

Courtesy of some air support, the department brought all three men into custody, the email said. A stolen handgun was also recovered from the vehicle.

“They are all suspects in last week’s robbery of the Independent Bar and Restaurant as well as several additional robberies,” the department’s email stated.

Those arrested were:

Devin Smith, 27

• Charges: Armed Robbery, Fleeing to Elude, Driving with a Suspended License

Alexander Jackson, 23

• Charges: Armed Robbery, Carrying a Concealed Firearm, Felon in Possession of a Firearm

Darrell Poole, 26

• Charges: Armed Robbery, Carrying a Concealed Firearm, Felon in Possession of a Firearm

Photos of Smith, Jackson and Poole courtesy of the Tampa Police Department