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Armed Robberies At Tampa Store, Gas Station Linked

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TBO.com

Published: December 16, 2008

An armed man jumped out of a black sport utility vehicle Sunday morning and tried grabbing a bag a woman was carrying, thinking it was her purse, Hillsborough County deputies say.

The bag contained only her lunch. And a water bottle.

The theft was one of two related crimes involving armed men Sunday, deputies say.

The first occurred at a Hess gas station on Bearss Avenue about 6:30 a.m. Sunday. The victim was pumping gas when the SUV pulled up and an armed man got out of the vehicle's passenger side, a sheriff's office news release states. The victim gave his wallet to the man, and the suspects left, heading east on Bearss.

The second theft occurred five minutes later in a parking lot of Publix, 13178 N. Dale Mabry Highway. A woman was walking across the parking lot with her bag when the armed man jumped out of the passenger side of the SUV, pointed a gun at her and grabbed the bag.

The robber was described as a 5-foot-6 black man weighing about 155 pounds, deputies say. He was last seen wearing black pants and a black and red jacket. No detailed description of the SUV's driver was available.

Those with information can call deputies at (813) 247-8200 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-TIPS.

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