Jewel Thieves Busted After Police Surveillance

Thursday July 19

• Police responded to a complaint from a guest at the Alaska Motel, 1307 East Hillsborough Avenue, about a dispute going on in the room next door. The responding police officer observed what appeared to be a "look out" outside the room and observed someone jumping out of the back window as he approached the building. A peek inside revealed a victim covered in blood. The police officer then chased the suspect and apprehended him with the help of backup at a nearby business. Two victims were transported to the hospital with serious head, neck and facial injuries. The suspect was taken into custody and seen at Tampa General after claiming he broke his hip while being pursued.

Friday July 20

• A woman was attacked near the intersection of Sligh and Nebraska Avenues by a supsected drug dealer who pushed her down and stole her bike. The suspect, believed to be around 5-foot-9 inches tall, 125 lbs and around 25-years of age, fled northbound on Nebraska. 

• Three armed subjects, one with a hammer and two with handguns stormed into the Value Pawn at 7113 North Nebraska Avenue. The two men armed with handguns ordered the managers of the store down to the floor while the other thief hammered at a glass jewelry case counter. Unable to break the glass, he kicked the rear panels of it until he was able to make entry and remove a large amount of jewelry from it. The robbers with handguns then went to the register and removed a large amount of cash. The thieves fled in a green colored minivan on Nebraska Ave with the stolen goods. A nearby officer checked a list of other calls to see if any suspicious calls were holding in the area. After doing so, he noticed that a call had been made indicating that a green minivan was left abandoned by three males at North 13th Street and East Hamilton Street. The officer immediately responded to that location, found the minivan which was reported stolen out of Hillsborough county, and within it, located a hammer, gloves, and jewelry. He then located two witnesses who gave a detailed description and a partial tag number of a 1997 Buick LeSabre with Florida plates. After placing a "be on the lookout" notice on the vehicle, another officer observed a vehicle matching that description across from the 6900 block of Karin Court. Since the vehicle was unoccupied, police set up surveillance on the residence and vehicle. During the course of the surveillance, two vehicles were stopped and all occupants were detained and identified. Three subjects have been arrested with one confessing to his involvement in the robbery. At the residence, two handguns were recovered along with additional jewelry, clothing, and some cash. The vehicle used in the offense was impounded and all scenes were processed by forensic experts.

• Three black males entered a residence in the 100 block of West Osborne Avenue removing a large sum of cash. A neighbor spotted the suspect's vehicle, but the tag was from a different car not believed to be involved. 

Monday July 23

• Thieves entered a house in the 1400 block of East Ida Street through an unlocked window. Amongst the items stolen from the house were a refrigerator, range stove and washer and dryer.