Crime & Safety

Tampa Hotel Robbery Leads To 3 Arrests In Pinellas County, Sheriff Says

Detectives said the 3 suspects robbed a man at gunpoint outside a Tampa hotel after meeting him earlier at the Seminole Hard Rock Casino.

TAMPA, FL — Three suspects have been arrested in connection with an armed robbery reported during the early morning hours of July 23 at an Extended Stay America in Tampa, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said in a news release.

The victim met one of the suspects, Angelina Johnson, 20, earlier that morning at the Seminole Hard Rock Casino.

After leaving the casino, the victim returned to his hotel on East Sligh Avenue, where Johnson and two male suspects approached him in the parking lot, the sheriff’s office said.

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The two men were later identified as Mario Dejournett, 22, and Tyrik Griffin, 22.

During the encounter, Dejournett and Griffin displayed firearms and robbed the victim of his jewelry and wallet before all three suspects fled the scene, investigators said.

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Detectives later identified the three suspects and obtained arrest warrants.

On July 24, the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office arrested Johnson and Dejournett. The release states they were booked into the Orient Road Jail on July 29.

PCSO deputies then arrested Griffin a week later, on Sunday. He is awaiting transfer to Hillsborough County.

All three suspects are charged with robbery with a firearm ($750 or more but less than $20,000), the sheriff's office said.

"This was a coordinated, violent crime that left the victim shaken and robbed at gunpoint," Sheriff Chad Chronister said. "Thanks to the diligent work of our detectives and the assistance of the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office, all three suspects have been identified and taken into custody. We remain committed to holding violent offenders accountable and ensuring they face justice."

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