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Pinellas County Robber Prefers Marlboros And Walgreens

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By CHRIS ECHEGARAY

Published: January 3, 2008

Authorities are looking for a different kind of Marlboro man; not the strong, silent type.

They are looking for the one who asks for Marlboro cigarettes before he robs a store.

Clearwater police and Pinellas County Sheriff's Office have dubbed him the Cigarette Robber.
In two cases, the man asked for cartons of Marlboro Red 100s before committing the robbery.

At 8:20 p.m. on Dec. 16, he entered the Walgreens pharmacy at 2519 McMullen-Booth Road in Safety Harbor. He went to the counter and asked for a carton of Marlboro Reds and Newports.

As the cashier was about to charge him and open the register, the robber hinted he was armed and demanded cash, authorities said. No weapon was shown. He fled with cash and the cigarettes.

The second robbery was just before 6 p.m. on Dec. 28. It was a Walgreens pharmacy at 5 Patricia Ave. in Dunedin. The robber asked for a carton of Marlboro Red 100s. It was the same method.

As he was about to be charged for the carton, the robber implied to the cashier that he had a weapon. The robber reached into the cash register and fled with money.

The suspect is described as a white male in his 40s. He's 6-2, about 170 to 180 pounds, thin build with salt-and-pepper hair.

Anyone with information should contact Detective Jeremy Nygren of the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office robbery unit at (727) 582-6200, or the Clearwater Police Department at (727) 562-4422. To remain anonymous call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-TIPS.

Reporter Chris Echegaray can be reached at (813) 259-7920 or cechegaray@tampatrib.com.

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