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3 Men Sought In Armed Robberies At 3 Homes

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By MIKE WELLS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 31, 2007

TAMPA - Hillsborough County deputies are searching for three men suspected in a string of armed home invasions and the shooting of a resident who nearly caught one of the suspects.
Arrest warrants on charges of armed home robbery were issued Tuesday for Cedric Stephens, 20; Derrick Grady, 19; and Ronnie Bolden, 18. Stephens also faces one count of attempted murder.

On Friday, the suspects forced their way into an apartment at on Buckhorn Court in Lutz, sheriff's spokeswoman Debbie Carter said. They demanded money and threatened to shoot four occupants, authorities said. The men left after taking cash and personal property, Carter said.

On Sunday morning, the same suspects knocked at an apartment door on Ginger Cove in Tampa, Carter said. After a victim opened the door, the suspects produced a gun and left with personal property, authorities said.

Four hours later, the men forced open a door at a home on Rustic Ridge Loop in Lutz, Carter said. They pointed a handgun at the resident and took his cash and a video game player, according to authorities.

As they left, they squirted pepper spray in the victim's face, Carter said. But he grabbed a rifle and chased them. He caught up to one man and began to escort him back to the apartment when another suspect came up behind him and shot him in the back of his neck, Carter said.

The suspects drove away in a red 2008 Chevrolet, Carter said. The victim ran after the vehicle and fired one shot.

The men abandoned the car and ran west out of the complex, she said. The victim was rushed to Tampa General Hospital, where he was treated and released.

Anyone with information is asked to call the sheriff's office at (813) 247-8200 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-TIPS (8477).

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