Woman, 89, Targeted in Home Invasion

An 89-year-old woman was the target of a home invasion by a transient who pushed her down and took money from her, Clearwater Police say.

The suspect approached the woman outside her home in the 100 block of Orangeview Avenue on Aug. 1 and offered to detail her car for $50, according to police.

When he was finished, the man, who identified himself as "Joe Moon," entered the woman's home without invitation and asked for several glasses of water, saying he "just took heart medication," public safety spokesperson Elizabeth Watts wrote in a media release.

When the woman paid him the $50 and asked him to leave, he said he wanted $150, police say. "At this point, the victim just wanted him to get out of her house, so she went to her bedroom to retrieve more money," Watts wrote.

The suspect followed her, took additional money and pushed her down before leaving, police say.

Detectives have identified the suspect as Tommy Mitchell, a 42-year-old with no permanent address, and have been following up multiple tips on his whereabouts. They say Mitchell — whose aliases include Gypsy, Wally Marks, Joe Moon, John Moon and Tony — is connected to another case with similar circumstances and that there could be other victims who have not reported a crime.

Authorities say Mitchell is about 5-foot-8, weighs 230 pounds and has several tattoos on his forearms. He appears to be homeless and pushes a blue shopping cart containing paint cans and boxes, officials said. He is balding with salt-and-pepper hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information about Mitchell's whereabouts or who has come into contact with him is asked to contact the Clearwater Police Department at 727-562-4242.

Crime Stoppers of Pinellas County is also offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information that leads to an arrest. To remain anonymous be eligible for a reward, call 800-873-TIPS (8477), go online to www.CrimeStoppersOfPinellas.org or text keyword TIP144
plus your tip to CRIMES (274637).