TBO.com - Tampa Bay Online
Girl, 13, With Knife Demands Burger, Tampa Police Say
ADVERTISEMENT
Published: January 14, 2008
TAMPA - A 13-year-old girl released from the county Juvenile Assessment Center landed back inside after she tried to rob a Burger King at knifepoint over a cheeseburger, police said.
The girl, who was wearing pajamas and socks when she was arrested Saturday, told Tampa police she was hungry when she brandished a kitchen knife inside the restaurant and demanded, "Give me a burger!"
The Tampa Tribune is not identifying the girl because of her age.
The girl had been released about 8 a.m. Saturday on an unrelated charge. About 9:26 a.m., she took the kitchen knife and walked to the restaurant at 2601 E. Hillsborough Ave., where she confronted an employee at the rear entrance, police said.
Police said a witness heard the girl yelling, "Give me a … cheeseburger now!" The girl chased the employee through the kitchen before other employees subdued her, police said.
No one was injured.
Police charged the girl with felony armed burglary, felony armed robbery and violation of home detention.
Reporter Valerie Kalfrin can be reached at (813) 259-7800 or vkalfrin@tampatrib.com.
Post a comment
(Requires free registration.)
* Keep it clean
* Respect others
* Don't hate
* Don't use language you wouldn't use with your mom
* Use "Report Inappropriate Comments" link when necessary
* See Member Agreement for details
TBO.com - Tampa Bay Online Member Agreement | Privacy Statement | Work With Us
Reader Comments
Posted by ( BettyBoop ) on January 14, 2008 at 11:04 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
STOP!!! This has got to be a joke. I am floored.
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( Quagmire ) on January 14, 2008 at 11:04 a.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by ( mel007 ) on January 14, 2008 at 11:10 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
all I can do is laugh.. so where are the girls parents??? and dont they feed her?
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( DarthRandall ) on January 14, 2008 at 11:11 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Quagmire - best post today!!!!!
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( DapperDave ) on January 14, 2008 at 11:13 a.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by ( subaqueous ) on January 14, 2008 at 11:13 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Is it just me or is this some pretty bizarre behavior? Lookout though - she may get smarter before she is old enough for a real jail and be dangerous. As it is she still gets her cheeseburger for free and it's on us.
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( GF ) on January 14, 2008 at 11:14 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Cheeseburgler?
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( TampaSlim ) on January 14, 2008 at 11:15 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
WAIT! There's just too much wrong here. Thirteen, just released from juvie...to whom? Did they just let her walk out, alone...in PJ's and no shoes...no responisible adult signing her out!? Either there is a lot missing here or someone's b**t is going to be in a sling! DOH!
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( evilmunkies4 ) on January 14, 2008 at 11:18 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Is this the new mascot for burger kings hamburgler? Where were her parents? Why wasn't she in school? Is this another trailer park incident?
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( GF ) on January 14, 2008 at 11:21 a.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by ( ajanello ) on January 14, 2008 at 11:24 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
This is what three generations of welfare produces? More evidence that a government check does not replace a family. And that it doesn't teach good manners, either.
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( CarDriver ) on January 14, 2008 at 11:27 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Has her home been checked? Why is she so hungry that she has to resort to such measures. Is she starving or does she have a eating disorder? This is half a story. Maybe she needs to be placed in a home where she is cared for.
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( jfelano ) on January 14, 2008 at 11:32 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
She should have said, "I'll glady pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today!".
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( abuela1942 ) on January 14, 2008 at 11:33 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Or maybe she just has a "gimme" mentality. No teenager has to be unfed and neglected to be hungry, although most don't resort to such measures. It sounds like this is a real juvenile delinquent in the making.
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( joeyg ) on January 14, 2008 at 11:39 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
she is trash. Cold, but true.
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( DarthRandall ) on January 14, 2008 at 11:40 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
This is so sad. My condolences to the friends and family of the 13-year-old whack-job with a knife.
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( DarthRandall ) on January 14, 2008 at 11:40 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Has anyone thought that maybe, just maybe this poor little mis-understood angel might have been sleepwalking????
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( lauriem ) on January 14, 2008 at 11:42 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Someone needs to sit down and have a serious talk with this girl! If you're going to rob a restaurant for food, at the very least, she should have picked a steak house.
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( karstho ) on January 14, 2008 at 11:46 a.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by ( Roberto ) on January 14, 2008 at 11:47 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
She must have had a real knife from home to bring about that kind of threat and commotion.
Those plastic ones as well as the sporks simply aren't what they used to be.
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( Roberto ) on January 14, 2008 at 11:51 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Hey, a slim ball attorney might also take the case.
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( Roberto ) on January 14, 2008 at 11:52 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
MissTampa,
If that's the case, then a more serious threat may have been to whack someone with that 50lbs bookbag instead.
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( Bullsfan07119 ) on January 14, 2008 at 11:57 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
I don't think she'll be released from the JAC anytime soon...and they have delicious food there
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( nolimelynch ) on January 14, 2008 at noon ( Suggest removal )
Where was that funny looking Buger King
guy? He could of slap the fries out of her
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( kimmypooh ) on January 14, 2008 at 12:05 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Her big welfare Momma was probably sitting on her fat butt with the clicker in her hand and told her if she wanted a burger to go get one herself. That is what kind on mentality comes to mind with something like this. If you can't feed em don't breed em!
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( sassi ) on January 14, 2008 at 12:08 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
This was the must needed laugh of the day. Burger King really is not that good..Wendy's is better.
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( savagenation ) on January 14, 2008 at 12:09 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by ( Doofy ) on January 14, 2008 at 12:14 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
These wacky kids
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( tboaddict ) on January 14, 2008 at 12:18 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Miss tampa,
doubtful she has a father
Why Burger King???? Apparently she didn't listen to the cows that told her to eat more chick'n...
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( mrrlo ) on January 14, 2008 at 12:19 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by ( www_citrusmotorsports_com ) on January 14, 2008 at 12:24 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
With or without good parents we all know right from wrong. Some of you seem to prefer giving her a foster home with attentive parents and some seem to prefer the throw away the key idea....
Which is it and why?
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( www_citrusmotorsports_com ) on January 14, 2008 at 12:31 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
kdahlstrom - The WORK BOOTS had 3 months of dirty clothes piled on top of them. They have not been used in a while.
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( mrrlo ) on January 14, 2008 at 12:35 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
casasierra - true. If you have kids, like I do...this is their generation of worry. Forget ballet and tennis I starting then back TAE KWON DO!
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( watttt ) on January 14, 2008 at 12:37 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
AT LEAST go for the fries and drink too. What a rookie.
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( mrrlo ) on January 14, 2008 at 12:42 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by ( bigpete ) on January 14, 2008 at 12:45 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Deep problems, REAL DEEP!!!
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( hvh ) on January 14, 2008 at 12:47 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Juvenile Assessment Center -
Does that mean they do an "assessment"?
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( RedRose111 ) on January 14, 2008 at 12:47 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Yes, she definitely does sound like a career criminal in the making. She should have just begged & perhaps the employee would've felt sorry for her & gave her a burger.
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( Sharona ) on January 14, 2008 at 12:50 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Arrest the parental units, if they aren't already in jail. Failure as a parent should result in parents and child being locked up.
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( mrrlo ) on January 14, 2008 at 12:51 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
yankeejib -Does this mean they'll take her kids away from her?
If so...Where's the Baby Daddy?? Was he at MacDonalds??
HAVE IT YOUR WAY...I'M LOVIN IT!!
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( nolimelynch ) on January 14, 2008 at 12:52 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
no they will not take her kid's away just the little fries
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( gizzmo97 ) on January 14, 2008 at 12:59 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Just wait for this little burger eatin psycho really starts to mature. I see several bizzare murders before they really put the hammer down on her.
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( devilschild335 ) on January 14, 2008 at 12:59 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by ( A_S_L ) on January 14, 2008 at 1:09 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I'm lauging at the comments, but at the same time, I feel sad reading this story.
Maybe she's just not wired right, but more than likely, she started out a mentally healthy child and everyone close to her has failed her. She sounds like a very angry person. Unfortunately, she'll probably never get the help she needs to turn her life around and will be a menace to society until her death.
It makes me sick to think that there are so many people who would love to be parents, GOOD parents, and can't, while people have babies with no intention of "raising" them. For chrissake, if you don't want them, give them to someone who does! Or don't have them at all!!
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( Ricardo ) on January 14, 2008 at 1:09 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
i want fries....YEAH! i want fries....YEAH! i want fries....YEAH! i want fries....YEAH! i want fries....YEAH! i want fries....YEAH!
-special ed
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( lauriem ) on January 14, 2008 at 1:10 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
On a side note, isn't their Burger King mascot creepy? If I was a kid and that thing came at me, I'd run the other freaking way!
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( dakota ) on January 14, 2008 at 1:11 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Did they give her a drug test? Just asking.
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( JamieKrueger ) on January 14, 2008 at 1:12 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by ( denmar ) on January 14, 2008 at 1:17 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
LaurieM, you read my mind. If anything, he makes me NOT want to eat at Burger King! I mean, would you want that large plastic head to be the first thing you see in the morning? NOT! And those skinny legs! CREEEEPY! Almost as bad as the Quiznos rat from years ago!
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( Aleks25 ) on January 14, 2008 at 1:20 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by ( lauriem ) on January 14, 2008 at 1:27 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Aleks25, I surely hope not, because that mascot would probably be there. After all, in Hell I would expect the things of nightmares, and he would certainly qualify.....:)
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( Slimsloomy ) on January 14, 2008 at 1:29 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
OH MAN! These Comments made my day! Friggin hilarious!
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( Aleks25 ) on January 14, 2008 at 1:37 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
LOL@lauriem
I think the poor kid was misunderstood. She brought the knife along to cut the burger into halfs. Its the new diet craze .. tricks the mind. You know how these teenagers are about their wieght!
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( wassup ) on January 14, 2008 at 1:46 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
These comments are the sole reason I come to TBO.com. The real "funny pages" are right here. :D
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( funda_mental ) on January 14, 2008 at 1:50 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Maybe she liked JAC better than home...?
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( mrrlo ) on January 14, 2008 at 1:54 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Miss Tampa...
I prefer no helmet
You see, I want to be able to enjoy the scenery and the aroma of the hamburger as I throw them in the mouth.
A helmet takes that all way.
More dangerous? Yes.
But we only live once.
hahahaha...:)
we are bad people.
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( hey_wilber ) on January 14, 2008 at 2:01 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Hold the pickles,hold the lettuce.....Retards on the loose dont upset us
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( MauriceGreen ) on January 14, 2008 at 2:10 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Maybe she isn't all there.
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( Ricardo ) on January 14, 2008 at 2:13 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun.....my bad....wrong place.
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( JJJJJ ) on January 14, 2008 at 2:13 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
This girl might just be the dumbest human being in the history of the world.
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( workingstiff ) on January 14, 2008 at 2:31 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Looks like there is a third side to this story. She seems to want back in to the juvy system. Im sure she wasn't that hungry since she just got out hours before. Running from abuse?
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( Quagmire ) on January 14, 2008 at 2:39 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
(her mom) Oh but she is such a good girl.. she would never do anything to hurt anyone. She has always been such a polite, sweet little girl.
(reporter) Reporting live from the scene, now back to you Bob and Gayle.
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( Roberto ) on January 14, 2008 at 3:11 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Anyone remember the old BK jingle (below)?
Hold the pistol hold the lettuce...
Getting jacked won’t upset us...
All we ask is that you don’t stab us today...
Don’t you stab us...
Don’t you stab us today...
Don’t’ you stab us...
When you’re at Burger King, please don’t stab us today...
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( rucvrd ) on January 14, 2008 at 3:19 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
WHOPPER FREAK OUT.. Guess they don't have TV in juvie or she'd had none he was just joking to see what kind of rise they'd get out of her...
SAD!!! I pray for my child!!
What about drug testing the parents that are taking our tax funds?? Is that weher it's going Mr. Snipes??
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( vgaiter4 ) on January 14, 2008 at 3:21 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
my friends and i went to this burger king about 3pm that afternoon. and the manager told us they had no whoppers or burger meat, just chicken and fish. at first we thought we were being punked or the burger king was going to come out of the back with cameras but now i understand. all i can say is wow!
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( tparich ) on January 14, 2008 at 3:25 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Mental case
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( Doofy ) on January 14, 2008 at 3:27 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Well it's good she now has some experience in the fast food industry. It should serve her well in the future.
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( Aleks25 ) on January 14, 2008 at 3:36 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
She'll be perfect for my new soon-to-be-hit reallity show -- "Boot Camp Abu Ghraib"
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( hvh ) on January 14, 2008 at 3:59 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Miss Tampa, a helmet? What are you talking about. This one is a case for sterilization - isn't it?
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( joeyg ) on January 14, 2008 at 4:01 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Some of you are hilarious.
I like KARSTHO's reply best though.
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( canegirl85 ) on January 14, 2008 at 4:15 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by ( schmokey8481 ) on January 14, 2008 at 4:25 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Ok, for some reason, I'm picturing this chubby girl...
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( redrat1998 ) on January 14, 2008 at 4:31 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by ( Jasmine501 ) on January 14, 2008 at 4:54 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Only in the good ol' US of A, brought on by an overabundance of political correctness.
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( Repsolman ) on January 14, 2008 at 5:08 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
"Yes I said cheeseburger....make that a government cheesburger...fool.
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( todu385 ) on January 14, 2008 at 5:21 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
IF this is true as stated it is a very sad situation instead of being something to laugh at. Where was this child and a 13 year old is still a child? IF she was released from the JAC who was she released to and is someone checking on her welfare and the conditions she lives under. She is not a lost case yet but if she doesnt get some real help and guidance she will just be another statistic. IT seems that most here must be young people, see everything as funny and dont see a persons plight in real terms at this age. My sister in law is involved with these kids that are from troubled homes and it is sad to see how many of these kids are mistreated or neglected. Actually we took in 2 girls that were neglected and abused and raised them and they turned out pretty good. I do hope someone helps her.
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( mrrlo ) on January 14, 2008 at 5:48 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
hvh..it was a joke,I guess you missed the helmet debate about the motorcycle accident story a couple days ago (which TBO deleted). If you read my response to her's you may understand. After reading the rest of these..this story has now turned into a joke. Sad, true, and I admit I've enjoyed most of them.
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( hvh ) on January 14, 2008 at 5:53 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
mrrlo, i got it. check miss tampa's other comments about sterilizing moms. i guess you missed those.
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( joeyg ) on January 14, 2008 at 6:26 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
maybe the restaurants video cameras caught it and with a little editing, they can turn it into their next reality tv commercial.
"Our Cheesburger is so good, you'll to to prison for it!"
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( tngator ) on January 14, 2008 at 6:57 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
was it a new rachel raye knife?
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( bnav ) on January 14, 2008 at 8:19 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
maybe when she gets her license she can join the 3 other cows in that van that try to run over and kill the Burger King.... what a terrible way to be at 13
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( 1pt21jiggawatts ) on January 14, 2008 at 8:50 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
In the words of Chris Farley: "LAY OFF ME, I'M STARVING!!!"
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( mrchipps ) on January 14, 2008 at 9:09 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Why do people assume that the parents are drug users? I know a lot of Crack Heads that are good providers and great parents. She is more likely the daughter of a well to do family that ignored her as a child and never listened to her.
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( brobeth1 ) on January 14, 2008 at 9:34 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
mrchipps: You ARE kidding,right? No crackheads are good parents. I think that little girl got out of juvie and she for some reason doesn't want to stay at home.She had to WANT to go back to jail to pull that stunt. Abusive dad maybe? Who knows? All I know is it just seems strange for her to do that right after release. mho
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( lolafalala ) on January 14, 2008 at 9:44 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by ( STEINER ) on January 14, 2008 at 10:21 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Does anyone know if the KING was the one that subduded her ?!?!?!
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( scottfwtx ) on January 14, 2008 at 10:48 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
LOL this chick should have been arrested for being out in public in her PJs, much less stealing a burger.
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( rkaeser ) on January 15, 2008 at 9:19 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
This is crazy crap! If her mom is not feeding her maybe she needs to be held accountable too! You people who mention about why wasnt she in school...it was Saturday! And why was she in juvie the first time for?
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( signit4bes ) on January 15, 2008 at 9:51 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
"Gimme a chicken sandwich and some waffle fries..........FO FREE".......... I'm bout to call BOVICE!................UNFORGIVABLE! check it out.....http://www.isthatunforgivable.com/
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( TeeBop4998 ) on January 15, 2008 at 10:08 a.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by ( lolalove222 ) on January 15, 2008 at 10:36 a.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by ( good_ole_boy ) on January 15, 2008 at 10:37 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Although this is a sad story..im just glad the King wasnt there...because if im not mistaken attacking royalty earns you a beheading...
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( Trish ) on January 15, 2008 at 12:25 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
She just wanted a Royale with Cheese, dang it!
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( JamieKrueger ) on January 15, 2008 at 1:03 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
She gets STABBY when she's hungry.
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( CitizenKane ) on January 15, 2008 at 2:26 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by ( BigMu ) on January 15, 2008 at 2:27 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by ( badbyron ) on January 15, 2008 at 2:46 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
You guys are to funny.
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( RuSeriousMan ) on January 15, 2008 at 4:53 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by ( Satyagraha34 ) on January 16, 2008 at 2:28 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
I agree, BigMu, these concealed-carry idiots on here think it's the Wild West out there. You have a right to own a gun but unless you're a cop, it belongs in a cabinet, locked in your home.
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( Cindy2419 ) on January 16, 2008 at 4:07 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
The sad thing is.. Did she do this to get away from something worse at home? Is juvie better than home for her?
Report Inappropriate Comments