BRANDON, FL (WFLA) – Hillsborough County Sheriff’s detectives are looking to identify and speak with three individuals in connection to two armed robberies that occurred in Brandon this week. Deputies say they believe the three people can provide information about robberies which took place at a Circle K and a 7-11 convenience stores.
In both robberies, one of the suspects stands at the front of the store as a lookout, as another approaches the clerk and demands cash. The first happened at 12:06 a.m. Tuesday at the 7-11 at 1020 S. Kings Avenue in Brandon. The first suspect pointed a gun at the clerk and demanded the money. He then fired a round at a display case before fleeing on foot.
The second happened at 12:58 a.m. Wednesday at the Circle K located at 202 W. Brandon Boulevard. Again, the masked gunman pointed his weapon at the clerk and demanded the cash drawer. As he’s shoving the cash into a duffle bag, the gun goes off striking a cigarette display case.
Sheriff’s office spokeswoman Cristal Bermudez-Nunez says detectives strongly believe the two cases are related. “They have the same method of operation, you can see from the surveillance video, the same build, in both we have that unknown race male that stands at the front door and serves as a lookout, and the other one that goes inside with a weapon and asks the clerk for the entire cash drawer and then shoots the firearm.”
Bermudez-Nunez says investigators are concerned with these robberies because the gunmen aren’t afraid to use their weapons. “Luckily these clerks responded and they complied with what the suspect’s demands were. If they would’ve acted differently, we could be reporting a very different story today.”
The victim of the Circle K robbery, Krystal Wattenburger shared, “Anything like that is going to be scary, it’s going to take toll on you, however, you have to get through the situation the best you can. So, that’s what I did.”
Wattenburger thanked the HCSO, “All I can really say on the matter is we are very thankful for the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office for all that they are doing, everything they did last night. Everything was handled very professionally. “
Anyone with any information reference these suspects is asked to call the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office at 247-8200 or anyone with any information regarding the identity and whereabouts of these suspects 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).