Tampa Police detectives are asking for the public’s help in identifying a person of interest in two daytime robberies.
The first incident occurred near 1512 East 8th Avenue at 9:07 a.m. on May 29. The female victim was sitting in her parked car, waiting for another individual when the suspect approached her vehicle. The victim’s driver side window was partially down. The suspect repeatedly banged on her window while yelling, “give me your car.” He tried to open the victim’s door, but it was locked. The victim began blowing her horn and the suspect ran off towards towards north 15th Street.
Almost an hour later, the suspect approached a delivery driver who was sitting inside his truck with the door open near the 1600 block of East 8th Avenue. The suspect walked up to the truck armed with a sharp object. He grabbed the victim’s shirt and started demanding cash. The suspect took cash from the victim’s and fled on foot westbound on 8th Avenue.
The suspect’s face was not covered during either incident. None of the victims were injured.
During the investigation, detectives were able to obtain photos of a person of interest who was spotted on surveillance cameras near both crime scenes. They are actively working to identify the man seen in the photos as part of this ongoing investigation.
The suspect is described as having light complexion Black or Hispanic male with a muscular build, fairly clean shaven, wearing either a black or red shirt with a logo on the front and either black or blue jean shorts. Suspect was carrying a red backpack and was armed with a sharp object, possibly a small knife.
Anyone with information about this person of interest is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-TIPS (8477) or text “CSTB plus your tip” to 274637 (CRIMES). Anonymous tips leading to an arrest may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000 in cash.
