By Tamas Mondovics
Detectives Need Assistance in Identifying Armed Robbery Suspect
A recent robbery prompted Hillsborough County Sheriff’s deputies to seek assistance in searching for a man who disguised himself in a fake beard armed with a revolver and robbed the CVS Store at 1010 Bloomingdale Ave.
According to deputies, just before 6 a.m., the unidentified man was hiding near the entrance way of the store when he confronted the store manager as he arrived to open the store for business. The suspect—approximately 40 years old, 6′-6’2″ 185-225 lbs., muscular build, light to tan complexion, was wearing a fake beard, long sleeve light gray shirt, black pants, a black do-rag on his head and gray gloves.
After forcing the manager to enter the store and to open the safe, the suspect grabbed an undisclosed amount of cash and exited the store. He was last seen fleeing from the property on foot.
Anyone with any information reference the suspect is asked to call the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office at 247-8200 or anyone with any information regarding the identity and whereabouts of this suspect and who wants to be eligible for a cash reward is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-TIPS (8477), report anonymously online at www.crimestopperstb.com or text “CSTB plus your tip” to C-R-I-M-E-S (274637).
Woman Arrested For Stealing Package From Doorstep, Selling Contents
Deputies said that Lavera Udean Huff of Brandon was wearing a bright orange T-shirt while distributing political flyers in the Harbor Isles community in South Apollo Beach. According to investigators, Huff was seen hanging a flyer on the door of the residence located at 5209 Butterfly Shell Dr. and walking away.
Minutes later, Huff returned to the front door, removed a small brown package and concealed it in her bag before walking away, deputies said.
Utilizing investigative measures, the HCSO’s District IV investigators were was able to track down the political group Grassroots Florida who were working in the area distributing flyers in the neighborhood at the time of the theft.
Cooperation from Grassroots Florida Directors led to the identification of Huff.
After opening the package, she discovered the new iPhone, which she later sold for $250. Huff has been charged with grand theft, and dealing in stolen property.
Detectives continued the investigation in an effort to recover the iPhone and return it to the victim.
