Crime & Safety
Witness Gives Chase, Thinks Better Of It After Robber Points Gun
In hot pursuit of an armed robber, a witness backs off, calls deputies and returns to the scene. Meanwhile, an arrest is made.
The armed robber who stole cash from a clerk at the Git-N-Go Food Store on Causeway Boulevard in Tampa left in a hurry, but not before catching the eye of a witness who took up the chase, according to a report from the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.
On Thursday, Aug. 8, at about 7:22 a.m., deputies arrived at the scene, at 6912 Causeway Blvd., in the Palm River-Claie Mel area. There, they reportedly learned that the thief, "after receiving cash from the clerk, ran from the scene." Also, that a witness, who was not identified in the report, jumped into his vehicle in hot pursuit.
"The witness pursued the suspect as the suspect pointed a gun at him several times," according to the report. "At that point, the witness decided to call law enforcement and return to the scene."
A quarter-mile away, at Tidewater Trail and Windermere Way, deputies caught up with Alberto Romero, 19, of 6922 South 20th Ave., Tampa, who was identified as the suspect in the case.
"Romero was in possession of the cash and admitted to committing the crime," according to the sheriff's report. "Romero was arrested and booked into the Orient Road Jail."
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