Cops: String of Armed Robberies May Involve Same Suspects

The Tampa Police Department is looking for help identifying a man detectives believe may be connected to a series of armed robberies that have occurred over the past few weeks.

Police say three similar armed robberies have taken place since March 31. While victims in each case described between three to four attackers, images of the suspects remained elusive until recently. It seems surveillance video from a Citgo gas station at 4511 E. Hillsborough Ave. shows one of the victim’s credit cards being used.

Now, detectives looking to end the robbery spree want to speak with the man in the video.

The crimes in question began occurring on March 31. The first incident unfolded at 2:40 a.m. 205 N. Armenia Ave. Two victims were leaving The Kennedy lounge as it closed and were approached by a group of men who robbed them at gunpoint, police wrote in an email to media. One of the credit cards taken in this robbery was used at the Citgo.

The other two cases occurred:

• April 3, 502 S. Fremont Ave. – In this case, two victims were robbed at gunpoint at 1:24 a.m.
• April 7, Howard Avenue and North A. Street – In this case, two victims were leaving The Kennedy and were robbed at gunpoint around 1:28 a.m. One of the victims was struck in the back of the head during the crime, police say.

While many details in the incidents are not yet being released, police department spokeswoman Janelle McGregor said that detectives believe all three crimes are connected.

“We know right now we’re looking at three to four suspects,” she said.

Anyone with information about the crimes or who can identify the man in the video is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-TIPS or the Tampa Police Department at 813-231-6130.

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