Tampa Police are intensifying their efforts to track down a suspect involved in a recent armed robbery at a local Little Caesars Pizza. The crime took place on the evening of August 4, just before the night wrapped its arms around the city at 7:30 pm. The detectives have now released images of a vehicle believed to belong to the suspect – a mid-2000s Nissan Frontier pickup truck sporting a black hood with after-market rims. Anyone with a hunch or a clue is urged to step forward as the investigation marches on. For a look at the vehicle involved, the public can view the photos, video, and news releases Tampa Police Department website.
According to the Tampa Police Department, the suspect brandished a firearm and threatened the Little Caesars employees, who managed to escape to safety at the back of the store. No physical injuries were sustained during the confrontation. Despite the assailant's efforts to raid the safe, his attempts were in vain, and he left the premises without looting any cash or property. The suspect, whose intentions were as clear as day but whose identity remains veiled in mystery, is captured on video. He's a white or Hispanic male, about 5 feet 8 inches tall, with an unmistakable "pot belly," clothed in a multicolored mask, dark sweatshirt, designer jeans, and white tennis shoes. Police are now working to not simply only find the truck, but also to identify and apprehend the brazen suspect.
The employees at the Little Caesars endured an ordeal that Sunday evening, facing down the barrel of a gun, a situation nobody clocks in for. It is a testament to their composure that a potential tragedy was averted.
If you have any information that could help lead to an arrest or have seen the suspect vehicle in your area, please contact the Tampa Police Department at 813.231.6130 or reach out to Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay. Detectives are focused on finding the truck and identifying the suspect to bring them to justice.
