Tampa Police Detectives are actively developing leads to identify and apprehend three subjects involved in an armed robbery Friday afternoon.
Just after 1:00 pm, a gray Nissan Altima with a white paper tag attached (displaying: OTX4425), was seen driving around the parking lot outside the Liberty Jewelers, located at 1957 W. MLK Boulevard. A black female entered the store around 1:21 pm, walking around the store for a few minutes before leaving.
She returned minutes later, holding the door open as two black males entered the store. The first male, wearing a black hoodie and armed with a hammer, approached the display case, and smashed the glass before grabbing multiple items. The second male, who was armed and wearing a yellow jacket, remained at the doorway with the female and pointed the gun toward the interior of the store.
As the armed suspect was pointing the gun toward employees and customers, an armed employee fired a gun at the suspects, causing them to flee. The bullet struck an uninvolved, unoccupied vehicle in the parking lot.
Thankfully no one was injured in this robbery.
As detectives continue to gather evidence, they are also asking the community to take a good look at this video. If you can help identify or provide information related to the suspects or vehicle involved in this robbery, you are asked to call Tampa Police at 813.231.6130 or contact Crimestoppers of Tampa Bay at 800.873.TIPS.