Accused Christmas Eve Robber Arrested on New Year’s Eve

A 40-year-old man remains behind bars today after Tampa Police officers say he robbed three convenience stores during the early morning hours of Christmas Eve.

According to a Tampa Police Department media release, a fingerprint left behind at the , 4943 E. Busch Blvd., initially connected Alphonzo Webb with the crimes. Further investigation solidified the case against Webb, leading to the issuance of arrest warrants, the release said.

The incidents that led to Webb’s arrest took place between 12:30 and 6:50 a.m. on Christmas Eve. The 7-Eleven at 824 W. Waters Ave. was robbed around 12:31 a.m., the Circle K at 1410 E. Hillsborough Ave. at 6:35 a.m. and the 7-Eleven at 4943 E. Busch Blvd. just before 7 a.m.

Webb is said to have entered the 7-Eleven at 1410 E. Hillsborough Ave. around 6:50 a.m. Dec. 24 and and demanding money, officials said. But the robbery attempt was foiled when the clerk put his hand in his pocket, also implying he had a gun, and the suspect left the store.

On Christmas Eve, detectives also said they believed the same suspect was involved in a robbery at the at 824 W. Waters Ave. Security cameras there captured footage of a man getting a beverage from the cooler just after 12:30 a.m., then approaching the counter and demanding money from the clerk and implying he had a gun.

A break in the case came on New Year’s Eve when a resident tipped off the Tampa Police Department about the car used in the robberies, the release said. With this information, officers were able to locate and arrest Webb without incident. He was arrested at 8002 Hidden River Drive Apt. A in the Temple Terrace area, but has no known address of his own.

Webb remained in the Hillsborough County Jail today, Jan. 3. He faces two armed robbery by sudden snatching charges and one robbery by sudden snatching. His bond has been set at $102,000.

Webb's past arrests in Hillsborough County date back to 2001 and include such charges as domestic battery and aggravated battery with great bodily harm, according to jail recordds.