Update: The suspect from yesterday's 7-Eleven robbery at Brandon Boulevard was arrested today by detectives.
Through investigative means, detectives gathered enough evidence to arrest José Cruz Tapia, 33. He faces the following charges:
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Aggravated Battery Deadly Weapon
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Armed False Imprisonment
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Robbery Deadly Weapon Less Than $750
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Tampering with A Witness
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Tampering with Physical Evidence
"I know everyone at teamHCSO was working vigorously to apprehend this dangerous criminal after seeing the surveillance feed," said Sheriff Chad Chronister. "I am proud of the swift actions of our detectives to track down this subject and place him behind bars. We hope the woman who was attacked can begin healing, knowing this man can no longer hurt her."
This investigation is ongoing; the Public Affairs Office will release any new updates.
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Detectives are looking for an armed suspect who violently attacked a victim during a robbery at a local gas station.
On Thursday, August 31, 2023, at 4:41 a.m., an unknown man walked into the 7-Eleven at 810 East Brandon Boulevard and stole cash from the registers. During the robbery, the suspect, dressed in a multi-colored hoody, grabbed the victim working the counter by the throat and forced her to open the register. He also held out a box cutter-type knife. He was last seen running eastbound on East Brandon Boulevard.
"To watch this criminal forcefully take what he wants and attack an employee trying to make an honest living goes against everything we stand for as residents of Hillsborough County and as your Sheriff's Office," said Sheriff Chad Chronister. "We will find this violent offender and make sure the victim of this crime sees justice."
If you know or see this suspect, please call the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office at (813) 247-8200. This is still an active investigation. Any updates will come from the Public Affairs Office.
