Man May Have Robbed Same St. Pete Convenience Store Twice, Detectives Say

Detectives are asking for the public's help in finding the suspects — or perhaps the same person — responsible for two recent robberies at a St. Petersburg convenience store.

According to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office, the City Food Market, 5028 66th St. N., was robbed on March 27 and again on April 2.

In the first incident, detectives said, the suspect was seen crouching down outside the store entrance at around 11:45 p.m. He then walked inside and pulled out a black semi-automatic handgun, pointed it at a victim and demanded money. After taking an undisclosed amount of money, he left the scene on foot, authorities said.

Five days later, at around 8:15 p.m., deputies say a man entered the store and confronted the clerk at the counter. The suspect indicated he had a gun in his sweatshirt — it was not seen but implied under his shirt, officials said — and demanded money. The clerk handed over an undisclosed amount of cash to the man, who fled. 

In both incidents, the suspect is described as a man between 18 and 25 years old with average build. In the March 27 robbery, the suspect wore a black hooded sweatshirt that was inside out with the tag showing and a white shirt underneath, along with basketball shorts, gloves and slippers.

In the second incident, the suspect wore a white hooded sweatshirt with a black design, khaki shorts and black-and-white tennis shoes, deputies said.

Detectives are trying to figure out if the incidents are related or if it is the same suspect. They do believe the suspect is familiar with the geographical area, the sheriff's office said.

A short time after the March 27 incident, a mid-size, late model, white, four-door vehicle was seen leaving the area, but it wasn't known if the vehicle was related to the robbery, officials said.

Anyone with information on either robbery is asked to contact Detective Amy Booth of the Robbery/Homicide Unit at 727-582-6200 or, to remain anonymous and be eligible for a reward, contact Crime Stoppers at 800-873-TIPS.

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