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Officials: Businesses targeted three times in two months

By Staff | Mar 30, 2017

SPECIAL TO THE CITIZEN A map of the locations targeted.

Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help tracking down at least two suspects responsible for robbing two Advance Auto Parts stores three times since early February.

The first incident occurred on Feb. 9, when a man entered the Advance Auto Parts store at 403 Sunshine Blvd. The man ordered all employees to the front of the store, demanding money from both of the safes. After getting an undisclosed amount of cash, the man fled in an unknown direction.

The suspect is described as 5 feet 9 inches, with a stocky build, and wearing a purple mask covering most of his face.

On Feb. 16, the store at 75 Joel Blvd. was the target of an unsuccessful robbery attempt.

About 8:30 p.m., the store’s manager locked the front door to begin closing procedures. One of the employees was finishing up with a customer at the front counter when a man began pulling on the door to try and get into the store. The man motioned that he had a firearm, before fleeing from the door.

Brake lights were seen in the wooded area near the business, however, witnesses were unable to get a vehicle description, other than a small compact car. As in the first robbery, the suspect was described as 5 feet 9 inches, with a stocky build, and wearing a hoodie and a purple ski mask.

On March 24, the Advance Auto Parts at 403 Sunshine Blvd. was robbed a second time.

Employees told detectives that a black man entered the store, displaying a 9 mm Smith and Wesson gun, just as the manager was escorting out the last customer of the day. The man demanded money from the store’s cash registers before fleeing on foot.

The suspect is described as a 6 feet 1 inch, with a thin build, and wearing a black hooded jacket and a purple and black bandana covering his mouth and nose.

Anyone with information on any of the three incidents is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 800-780-TIPS (8477). All callers will remain anonymous and will be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

Tips may also be made online at: www.southwestfloridacrimestoppers.com or by submitting a tip on the P3Tips mobile app.

Source: Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers