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Hitchhiker Pulls Gun, Takes Car, Pinellas Authorities Say

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By STEPHEN THOMPSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 30, 2008

ST. PETERSBURG - After a man picked up a hitchhiker Tuesday night, the hitchhiker pulled out a handgun at a gas station and took the man's car, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.

Corey Robinson

Deputies made an arrest a short distance from the gas station, sheriff's spokeswoman Marianne Pasha said.

Corey Robinson, 23, of St. Petersburg, was charged with carjacking with a deadly weapon, possession of a firearm and resisting arrest without violence, Pasha said. He was on probation for fleeing and eluding, carrying a concealed firearm, possession of marijuana and drunken driving, Pasha said.

The victim, David Harrell, 30, of Pinellas Park, was driving a 1971 purple Oldsmobile on Bay Pines Boulevard when he decided to pick up Robinson just before 11 p.m., Pasha said.

When Harrell stopped at a nearby gas station, Robinson pulled a handgun, threatened Harrell and took the car, Pasha said. He then drove the Oldsmobile over a causeway into Madeira Beach, Pasha said.

Deputies spotted the car and followed it over the causeway, Pasha said. Robinson abandoned the car at a gas station at Gulf Boulevard and 150th Street and tried to flee on foot, Pasha said.

Deputies say the men did not know each other.

A .22-caliber revolver was found in the Oldsmobile, Pasha said.

Reporter Stephen Thompson can be reached at (727) 451-2336 or spthompson@tampatrib.com.

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