Armed Robbery Suspect Sends Selfie to Victim's Friend, Cops Say

An armed robbery suspect with a penchant for selfies and social media may have provided the Tampa Police Department the information it needs to close a case that dates back to earlier this summer.

Officers say the man snapped a selfie on a stolen smartphone and then used the victim’s Kik messenger account to send the shot to one of the victim’s friends. Unlike the suspected robber, the friend was quick-thinking and grabbed a screenshot of the photo before Kik deleted it.

The robbery in question dates back to Aug. 23. The two male victims were working as valets in a parking lot near the Hyde Park Café, 1806 W. Platt St., when two men got out of a dark-colored sedan and pointed guns at them. The robbers took the valets’ cash and cellphones, an email to media from the police department said. They got back into the car and took off.

Not too long after the crime, the selfie was sent to the victim’s friend, the Thursday email said.

Cops are now turning to the public for some help in identifying the man in the photo. He is a possible suspect in that August armed robbery.

Anyone who can identify the man is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-TIPS or text “CSTB plus your tip” to 274637. Tips that lead to an arrest may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000 in cash.

Photo Credit: Screenshot courtesy of the Tampa Police Department