TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Robber Takes Spark Out Of Fireworks Stand

Photo by Eric Hausmann of News Channel 8

A fireworks stand at the intersection of 56th Street and Sligh Avenue was robbed at gun point Friday morning.

ADVERTISEMENT

By MICHELE SAGER | The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 4, 2008

TAMPA - Hillsborough County Sheriff's deputies are looking for a robber who took the fizzle out of a vendor's firework sales.

A fireworks stand at the intersection of 56th Street and Sligh Avenue was robbed at gun point Friday morning.

Operator Joshua Averill, 31, said he was robbed of about $700 in fireworks at about 2:30 a.m. The stand was closed and Averill said three men entered the tent with one man appearing to have a gun under his shirt.

The stand operator said he was kept in a chair under supposed gunpoint while the men gathered about 40 pounds of fireworks, including 16,000 firecrackers. Averill said enough fireworks were taken for a three to four hour show.

Averill, who has sold fireworks the past three years, said the three men fled in a red compact car after spending 10 minutes in the tent. He described the suspects as three black males in their 20s, wearing white clothing.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT