Crime & Safety

Clearwater Teen Arrested in Sushi Restaurant Robbery

Deputies say the teenage suspect drove the getaway car in the Oldsmar armed robbery Monday night.

A Clearwater teenager faces a robbery charge, after detectives said they identified him as driving the getaway car during a robbery Monday night at an Oldsmar restaurant.

Two other suspects remain at large.

Jabari O. Wade, 18, was arrested and charged as a principal to an armed robbery of the Boton Sushi Restaurant, 300 E. State Street, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.

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Two suspects entered the Boton Sushi Restaurant around 8 p.m. Monday, May 6, according to deputies.

Each pointed a gun at a worker's head. The suspects demanded money from the cash register. They fled after taking cash.

Find out what's happening in Clearwaterfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Witnesses described the getaway car as a gold four-door Taurus. One witness wrote down the tag number, and the vehicle was located by investigators in the 1100 block of Lasalle Street in Clearwater.

When deputies pulled the car over in a traffic stop, Wade stayed behind the wheel as the driver, while one or two passengers jumped out and ran away.

According to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office:

"Deputies were able to connect Wade to the crime as the getaway driver for the robbery and arrested him as principal to armed robbery for his involvement as an accessory after the fact."

The investigation continues.

Anyone with information about this case can call the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office at 727-582-6200; or to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-TIPS.

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