Palmetto Burger King robbed by men who live 40 minutes away

Two Pinellas Park men were apprehended early Tuesday morning for their alleged involvement in the armed robbery of a Palmetto Burger King, according to the Palmetto Police Department.

Ryan Anderson, 30, and Antonio Berrios, 25, approached the manager and an employee of the Burger King at 551 10th St. E. as they were exiting the store after locking up around 2 a.m., according to arrest reports.

They revealed firearms to the victims and one of them compelled the manager to unlock the building and safe. The other alleged robber remained in the parking lot, where he asked the employee to get out of their vehicle and led them back into the restaurant at gunpoint.

Eventually, the employee escaped the area and called law enforcement. Palmetto police arrived to the scene just as the two alleged robbers fled the scene on foot. They were arrested after a short pursuit.

Police say video footage of the attack matches the victims’ version of events.

Palmetto Police Chief Scott Tyler said that the police’s quick response was a matter of the officers being in the right place at the right time.

“We try to patrol businesses that are open late at night and give them extra attention,” he said, adding that the arresting officers were already in the area on a separate call.

Tyler said a series of Burger King robberies have occurred across the Tampa Bay area and that his detectives have been in contact with other departments to share case notes.

Both Anderson and Berrios live about 40 minutes away in Pinellas Park, located in northern Pinellas County.

Berrios is charged with armed robbery with a firearm and is being held on a $160,000 bond.

Anderson is charged with facilitating the commission of armed robbery with a firearm. He is being held on a $100,000 bond.

This story was originally published October 4, 2017 at 5:53 PM with the headline "Palmetto Burger King robbed by men who live 40 minutes away."