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5 Jailed After 6 Violent Home Invasions In New Tampa

News Channel 8 image by MAURICE CAPOBIANCO

Det. Mike Kirlangitis displays a gun used in several home invasions in the New Tampa area. Police arrested three men in connection with the crimes.

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By MIKE WELLS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 20, 2008

Updated: 06/20/2008 03:27 pm

TAMPA -- Five people have been arrested in connection with a theft ring investigators have tied to string of violent home robberies that took place earlier this month in the USF area, police said.

Two women acting as decoys would knock on the unsuspecting victim's door, claim to have just been robbed and ask to use a phone, police said. Once inside, two male accomplices pushed their way into the home and stole cash, jewelry and electronics.

One man was pistol-whipped several times on the back of his head, and a woman was hit in the face with a revolver and then dragged by the hair and forced into a closet, police said.

Arrested in connection with the home invasions were: Marlin Colbert, 19; Walter Pinckney, 18 and Victoria Williams, 24. Police are looking for the second woman.

Colbert was charged with three counts of robbery and one count of aggravated battery. Pickney was charged with four counts of robbery and one count each of armed burglary, grand theft and aggravated battery. Williams was charged with robbery.

Two other members of the group suspected of other crimes were: Troy Eubanks, 20 and Michael Pierre, 21. Both were charged with armed burglary and grand theft.

All but Pierre are held without a bail amount being set. Pierre's bail was set at $52,000.

Tampa police and Hillsborough County deputies worked jointly on the case.

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