Credit Card Skimmer, Restaurant Awards, Scam Alert

Patch operates 24 daily news sites in the Tampa Bay area and surrounding counties. The following are some of the top stories from the past day:

Auto Thief Took Off With Baby In Lexus, Cops Say

The St. Petersburg Police Department is asking for help identifying a man its officers say stole a Lexus Wednesday morning that happened to have a 1-year-old girl inside. While baby and SUV were both recovered rather quickly, police would still like to speak to the person responsible.

Reward Rises In Bradenton Murder Case

As the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office continues its search for the person responsible for shooting and killing Alexander Cherp at a Lakewood Ranch park earlier this month, the reward for information that leads to an arrest has climbed to $8,000.

3 Tampa Bay Eateries Up For National Awards

One Tampa restaurateur and two chefs from the region have made the cut as semifinalists in the James Beard Foundation’s 2017 Restaurant and Chef Awards. Described by many as the “Oscars” for the restaurants, the annual awards program singles out movers and shakers in the industry from across the country.

‘Can You Hear Me’ Scam Making The Rounds In Pinellas

Pinellas County Consumer Protection is warning residents about a clever new robocall scam that’s designed to part victims from their money. The “can you hear me” scam is designed to trick victims into simply saying “yes.”

White Rhinos Get Some Valentine’s Love

White rhinos need a little love, too. At least that seemed to be the case at Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo on Tuesday. Just in time for Valentine’s Day, zoo staff members set up a “kissing booth” for the critters.

Credit Card Skimmer Found At Tampa Credit Union

The Tampa Police Department is asking for help identifying a man its detectives say placed a credit card skimmer on a bank’s ATM over the weekend.

Hennessy’s Bar Employee Shot, Killed

A 43-year-old Tarpon Springs man faces first-degree murder charges following a Wednesday morning shooting at Hennessy’s Bar in Oldsmar.

Photo courtesy of Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo