3 smoke shops robbed in 3 days, Tampa police want your help

TAMPA, Fla- — Police say that three Tampa smoke shops have been robbed of their cash and Backwoods cigars over the course of three days.

Between December 16-18, three armed robberies have taken place at local smoke shops, two in the city limits and one in Temple Terrace. Police say all of the robberies appear to have been committed by the same armed suspect.

During the robberies, the suspect targets cash in the register and, specifically, "Backwood" brand tobacco/cigars, according to detectives.

The shops that were robbed are:

• Dec 16 @ 5:49 PM: Villains Smoke Shop; 4947 Broadway Ave (Tampa);
• Dec 17 @ 7:48 PM: Kings of Vapor; 6406 E. Fowler Ave (Temple Terrace)
• Dec 18 @ 3:02 PM: Smoke Signals; 5128 N. Florida Ave (Tampa)

In the two most recent robberies, the suspect was wearing a construction helmet. In the December 18 robbery, an older model red Mercedes was seen in the area at the time.

Detectives are asking for help finding the occupants of the red car to determine if they have any information that could help this case.

Detectives are also asking the community to check if they recognize the man in the surveillance video. Watch the video HERE.

Anyone who may have information that can help with this investigation is asked to contact Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay, Inc. at 800.873.TIPS