Tampa, FL March 2, 2010 -
INCIDENT DATE/TIME: 3/1/2010, 12:15 PM
BUSINESS: Fast Payday Loans 2702 B E. Busch Blvd
Tampa, FL 33612
SUSPECT: B/M Grier, Antonio Alexander, 12-21-77
506 1/2 E. Sparkman Ave Tampa, FL 33602
CHARGES: 3 Counts Armed Robbery
DETAILS: The suspect walked into Fast Payday Loans and inquired about a loan. He then left and returned a short time later armed with a handgun and demanded money. A clerk gave him cash from the register and he ordered her to stand in the corner as he fled out the front door.
A witness saw Grier walk eastbound around the front of the business and then Northbound from Busch Blvd. That witness remained at the scene. Corporal Pecora arrived in the area and was provided a suspect description and direction of travel. Corporal Pecora followed the last known path of travel and located another witness who advised that a suspicious vehicle had been circling the area and left just prior to police arrival. The witness provided a description of the driver, as well as the tag number and description of the vehicle. The description of the driver exactly matched the description of Grier and the suspect vehicle was registered in his name.
The ROC Squad (Rapid Offender Control) set up surveillance on the suspect's home and quickly discovered the suspect vehicle. A short time later, Grier left the home in the car. ROC Officers and Patrol Officers stopped the vehicle and he was arrested without incident. District 2 Detectives interviewed the suspect and he admitted to all four offenses. He also admitted robbing a fifth business in Hillsborough County. Charges on that case and the Hyde Park Market are pending.
PREVIOUS ROBBERIES
Robbery 1: February 16 at 4:51 PM, Gita Food Stores, 4804 N. Florida Avenue
The suspect entered the Gita Food Store and quickly surveyed the inside. He walked up to the front counter and waited for the clerk to hang up his cellphone. The suspect then pulled out a black semi-automatic handgun and told the clerk to "put all the money in the bag now, now." The clerk grabbed a paper bag from behind the counter and complied with the suspect's demands. The suspect told the clerk to get down on the ground as he walked out of the store. He fled northbound on North Florida Avenue on foot. The clerk was not injured during the robbery.
Robbery 2: February 22 at 10:30 AM, Sonoco, 1401 W. Waters Avenue
The suspect confronted the clerk with a handgun and demanded the cashier empty out the cash register into a bag.
Robbery 3: February 24 at 4:15 PM, Hyde Park Market, 616 W. Platt Street
The suspect entered the store, brought a bag of chips to the cashier, pulled out a gun and demanded money at gunpoint.
Laura McElroy
TPD PIO
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