MIND YOUR MANNERS: On Sept. 3, a man entered the Metro PCS cell phone store on Hillsborough Avenue in Tampa, grabbed a female clerk, poked a gun into her side and demanded cash. He took the money from the register and then attempted to take the woman's engagement ring. After a brief struggle, the man threw the clerk to the floor with the ring still on her finger. He then broke two of the store's three surveillance cameras with an umbrella, snatched a bunch of phones and fled the scene. The victim, who was "visibly upset but not injured" in the robbery, could feel good about one thing, though. Per the report, "The suspect called the store approx. 15 minutes after the robbery occurred and apologized to the victim for shoving her to the floor."
From the files of T.P.D.
This article appears in Sep 26 – Oct 2, 2007.