Assistance Needed: Help Sought in Identifying Robbery Suspect
A distressing incident unfolded on the morning of August 31, 2023, at a 7-Eleven store in Brandon, Florida. An armed man targeted and attacked a store employee during a robbery that took place around 4:40 a.m.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is leading the search for the suspect behind this alarming incident. Law enforcement hopes that by sharing surveillance footage from the scene, they can successfully apprehend the responsible individual.
The robbery occurred at the 7-Eleven located at 810 East Brandon Boulevard. Detectives from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office have released video footage of the event. In the footage, a Black male wearing red shorts, white sneakers, and a multicolored Reebok short-sleeve hoodie with a black long-sleeve shirt underneath enters the store. The man is observed walking over to a shelf, selecting a product, and heading towards the cashier.
The suspect places the chosen product on the counter, engages in a brief exchange with the cashier, and then unexpectedly moves behind the counter. The security footage shifts to a camera aimed at the area behind the counter, revealing the suspect approaching the employee from behind. In a concerning turn of events, he places his hand on the employee’s throat.
Subsequently, the suspect directs the employee towards the cash register, maintaining his grip around her throat. With threats looming, the employee is coerced into opening the register. During this tense moment, the suspect puts a box cutter on the counter, a dangerous indication of his intentions. He proceeds to extract money from the register, securing it in his pocket.
As he moves to access a second register, a struggle ensues. The employee continues to endure the assailant’s assault. Eventually, the suspect manages to collect the money he desires and escapes the store. The video footage concludes with the suspect exiting the scene, last seen running eastbound on East Brandon Boulevard.
Sheriff Chad Chronister of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office expressed outrage over the incident. “To watch this criminal forcefully take what he wants and attack an employee trying to make an honest living goes against everything we stand for as residents of Hillsborough County and as your Sheriff’s Office,” he declared. The Sheriff remains determined to ensure justice for the victim and locate the perpetrator responsible for this violent act.
Efforts to reach out to 7-Eleven for comments on the incident were not met with immediate responses.
Let’s come together as a community to support the investigation and help bring the perpetrator to justice. If you have any information that could aid in identifying the suspect, please reach out to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.