FL) Crime spree halted by armed pizza store owner 07-23-01
From The Tampa Tribune
Address:http://tampatrib.com/FloridaMetro/MGAFP0XMHPC.html
Teens’ Crime Spree Halted By Shooting, Police Say By BEN FELLER
[email protected]
Published: Jul 23, 2001
[Marcus Stewart, left, and Maurice Thomas each face three counts of
armed carjacking and armed robbery.]
TAMPA – Two 16-year-olds went on a carjacking and robbery rampage in
northeast Tampa early Sunday, seriously injuring one man before a
botched holdup ended their spree, police say.
For more than four hours, they robbed people in their cars and
threatened others, police said.
One man was hospitalized Sunday after being hit in the head with a rock.
This was the second burst of car thefts and armed robberies in Tampa by
youths in four days, but police are unsure if they are connected.
Maurice Antwan Thomas, 8203 N. Klondike St., Apt. B, Tampa, and Marcus
Antonio Stewart, no address given, who has been a fugitive since failing
to appear at a hearing on burglary charges, were arrested.
Each faces three counts of armed carjacking and armed robbery. Thomas is
charged with aggravated battery for throwing the rock that injured Jacob
Plummer of Blanton, police said. More charges are pending against both.
According to police, Thomas and Stewart: * Stole the car driven by
Plummer after injuring him and threatening him and his passenger on N.
Florida Avenue. * Robbed a Riverview man while he was in his truck at
6013 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. A third suspect in this
robbery is at large. * Tried to rob a clerk at Red Roof Inn, 5001 U.S.
301 N. She refused to unlock the door. * Threatened a woman and her
children while she was dropping them off on Nebraska Avenue. Thomas and
Stewart stole purses, cash, medicine and the car. * Tried to rob Hungry
Howie’s restaurant at 2001 E. Hillsborough Ave. Thomas approached the
counter with a shotgun. The owner fired three shots from a handgun. He
hit Stewart twice.
Police found Stewart and Thomas at 1310 E. 19th Ave.
Stewart was treated at a hospital before being turned over to police.
Both teenagers are in juvenile custody.
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