Help Catch a Possible Serial Robbery Suspect

LAKELAND, FL — The Lakeland Police Department is looking for help identifying a man its officers say might be responsible for four recent robberies in Polk County.

According to police, the man’s possible spree began back on Oct. 29 just before 7 p.m. when a man walked into the Subway at 5395 Socrum Loop Road and lifted his shirt to show the cashier a handgun. Once he did, the man demanded money, which the cashier handed over.

A second robbery possibly committed by the same man began to unfold before 10 p.m. Nov. 1. In that case, police say the Exxon station, 4655 Socrum Loop Road, was robbed. A man walked into the business, produced a gun and cleaned out the cash register, an email from the police department said.

All was quiet for a few days, but another robbery was reported on Nov. 3. This time the man is accused of holding up the Marathon at 111 Marcum Road in the Polk County Sheriff’s Office’s jurisdiction, the email said.

On Nov. 6, the man is accused of striking again. In this case, the XYZ Liquor store at 2190 Highway 92 East was robbed shortly before 2 p.m. Police say a man entered the store, showed the cashier a gun and took off with money from the register.

The man wanted by police is believed to be a white or Hispanic male who stands about 6 feet tall. He weighs an estimated 150 pounds, is clean shaven and is between 25 and 35 years old. The man wore a Tampa Bay Rays hat, dark shorts and a gray sweatshirt in several of the robberies.

“The suspect should be considered armed and dangerous,” the email warned.

Lakeland police say none of the cashiers were injured during the robberies.

Anyone who can identify the man is asked to call Det. Edward Sealey at 863-834-5991 or reach out by email at Edward.sealey@lakelandgov.net. Heartland Crime Stoppers is offering a $10,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest in the case. To be eligible for the reward, tipsters must call Crime Stoppers first at 1-800-226-8477.

Surveillance photos courtesy of the Lakeland Police Department