Brandon Jewelry Heist Took Potentially Deadly Turn, Deputies Say

BRANDON, FL — The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is looking for help identifying a man its deputies say stole more than $23,000 worth of jewelry from a Brandon store Tuesday night and then drove off with an employee on his hood.

According to the sheriff’s office, the crime in question began to unfold around 7:11 p.m. Sept. 6 when a man walked into Mirage Diamonds & Fine Jewelry at 321 Brandon Town Center Mall. The man is accused of grabbing a gold necklace and bracelet valued at $23,485 and then running out of the store.

An employee from the store, deputies say, gave chase and followed the man to a newer model silver Chevrolet Camaro “at which time the employee confronted the suspect and latched onto the vehicle’s hood.”

With the employee still latched on, the man drove toward Brandon Boulevard, an email from the sheriff’s office said. The employee was ultimately thrown from the car at the intersection of Brandon Boulevard West and Brandon Town Center Drive. The car was last seen getting onto Interstate 75 headed northbound.

The employee, who has not been identified, was taken to Tampa General Hospital with life-threatening injuries, the sheriff’s office said.

Anyone with information about the crime or suspect is asked to all the sheriff’s office at 813-247-8200. Tips may also be submitted through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-TIPS. Tips that lead to an arrest may be worth a cash reward. Anonymous tips may also be submitted online at www.crimestopperstb.com or by using the P3 Tips Mobile app. To be eligible for a reward, tipsters must call Crime Stoppers first.

Photos courtesy of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office