TAMPA, Fla. - Detectives need help finding a man they said broke into four Tampa businesses.
The first incident happened in December. The other three occurred in March.
Authorities have connected the suspect to the four burglaries. The businesses that were broke into were Ella's Americana Folk Art Cafe (N. Nebraska Ave,), Cappy’s Pizza (N. Florida Ave.), Metropolitan Ministries (N. Florida Ave.), and Galaxy Fireworks (E. MLK Boulevard).
According to Tampa Police, the suspect shattered glass doors and stole money.
Staff at Galaxy Fireworks and Metropolitan Ministries said the suspect did not steal money from their stores.
“He climbed through the bottom and walked right (to) the cash register,” said Justine Burke, Senior Director of Marketing and Communications for Metropolitan Ministries.
Metropolitan Ministries has a thrift store on campus. Police say that is the store that was broken into over the weekend.
“And maybe this person, I would like to think, is in a desperate situation and hopefully they can come up with a more constructive way to get the help,” Burke said.
Burke said some of the thrift store employees are nervous.
“Even though nothing was taken, just the apprehension of wondering if it’s going to happen again or God forbid somebody get more brazen and come in while we’re open,” Burke said.
Detectives need help identifying the suspect.
“It’s very frustrating and costly because it’s not cheap to replace commercial glass on a door so either way we have an expense that he actually cost the company,” said Sharon Hunnewell-Johnson, President of Galaxy Fireworks..
If you have any information about the burglaries, call Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay at 800-873-TIPS.
“This is going to effect everybody in the area. We’re all concerned,” said Hunnewell-Johnson.
