Crime & Safety
Men With Gun, Hockey Mask Take Crime Spree To New Tampa
The crime spree started in Brandon and spanned Hillsborough County, according to authorities.
A weekend robbery at a store in New Tampa may have been the third in a string of crimes by two men that started in Brandon July 22 and stretched through Hillsborough County, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.
The first crime in the spree happened July 22 at 12:07 a.m. when two men went into the Circle K, 812 E. Lumsden Road, Brandon, the sheriff's office wrote in an email. They demanded cash and lottery tickets from the clerk. The clerk handed over the items and the men grabbed a donation jar full of money from the counter and ran, the email said.
About two hours later, deputies think the same men walked into the 7-Eleven at 4301 Ehrlich Road in Carrollwood. The clerk spotted them and hid in a cooler. The men stole lottery tickets and cigarettes and fled.
Deputies believe the same men struck again Aug. 4 around 11:28 p.m. when an armed robbery took place at the Kangaroo Gas Station, 14611 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. in New Tampa.
Deputies say that one man is just over 6 feet tall and has a thin build. He was wearing a "gray hooded sweatshirt with a chain design across the front and an attached zip up hockey style mask, black glove on left hand, long dark shorts, and tan 'Timberland' work boots," the sheriff's office said.
Deputies describe the other man as being 6 feet tall or just a few inches shorter. He was "wearing a dark bandana with paisley print on head, dark bandana across lower face, dark color long sleeve t-shirt, gloves, long dark pants and dark athletic shoes. Armed with a small caliber revolver," the email said.
Have you seen the men in the photos? The sheriff's office would like to hear from you. Just call 813-247-8200. Those wishing to be eligible for a cash reward can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-TIPS (8477). Report anonymous online at www.crimestopperstb.com or by texting "CSTB plus your tip" to C-R-I-M-E-S (274637).
Editor's note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly listed the date for one of the alleged crimes.
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