PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — Pinellas County detectives are asking for the public's help in identifying the man seen in surveillance video, robbing a convenience store.
Detectives believe the same man committed at least six armed robberies across Pinellas County in a single week in early November.
The unknown suspect targets convenience stores and once inside, threatens the clerk with a knife in all but one of the six robberies where he produced a handgun.
In the surveillance video, the clerk is confronted by the robber who topples over the counter demanding money.
Zee Babwani operates Friendly Freddy Convenience Store in Pinellas Park. He says the same masked man barged into his store threatening his wife.
The couple is taking extra precautions around their store to keep employees safe. They recently installed a locked gate to section off the public from behind the counter.
Regular customers like Michael Ferrandiz are now vowing to keep a watchful eye.
"Hopefully we can find him for sure," said Ferrandiz. "This is a good place, good place. I come by here almost everyday."
The robberies occurred at the following locations:
- Speedway - 5010 Tampa Road Oldsmar
- Chevron gas station - 39720 U.S. 19 North Tarpon Springs
- Circle K - 3170 Tampa Road Oldsmar
- Friendly Freddie's - 5801 62nd Avenue North, Pinellas Park
- 7-Eleven - 3000 49th Street North St. Petersburg
- 7-Eleven - 2632 Park Street North St. Petersburg
The suspect was last seen on November 7, wearing a black hoodie, baggie jeans, and a nylon half-mask wearing gloves. Detectives believe in each robbery, he runs away from the store to an awaiting dark-colored sedan.
Anyone with information on these robberies is asked to call the Robbery/Homicide Unit at (727) 582-6200 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-TIPS or www.crimestoppersofpinellas.org.
