Thaindian News

TAMPA, FLORIDA (BNO NEWS) — A Tampa, Florida woman who was robbed and briefly kidnapped by a 48-year-old man on early Monday said he was ‘very polite’, police said.

The incident started at approximately 6.30 a.m. local time when the suspect approached a woman at the Publix located at Ehrlich and Gunn Highway in Tampa. According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the suspect, who was identified as Geremias Robles, told the victim that he needed $1,100.

Robles allegedly robbed the victim of the cash she had with her and told her to get into her vehicle where he drove her to her bank at the Citrus Mall and instructed her to withdraw $400 from her account. He then drove her back to the Publix where he allowed her to exit her vehicle and explained her that he was taking her car, but that he would take care of it and leave it at a Publix on Dale Mabry.

Robles then drove around the area for approximately one hour before approaching a second victim who was at a Bank of America ATM located at Lake Carroll Way. The suspect approached the victim, robbed her of money and then had her withdraw an additional $100 from the ATM.

After the second robbery, Robles fled in the car of the first victim and was spotted by an off duty deputy in the area of Armenia Avenue and Busch Blvd. The deputy followed the suspect and activated his emergency lights in the area of Dale Mabry and Linebaugh.

“The suspect fled through the Publix parking lot and drove into an apartment complex parking lot where he bailed from the vehicle and fled on foot,” said Debbie Carter, a spokeswoman for the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. “Deputies pursued the suspect on foot, and after deploying a taser the suspect was taken into custody.”

The victim of the first robbery described the suspect as being ‘very polite’, police said. It was not clear why the suspect needed $1,100.

Robles has been charged with Kidnapping, two counts of Armed Robbery, Grand Theft, Felony Fleeing and Eluding and Burglary.