Crime

Police search for gunman they say robbed several hotels

Tampa police are searching for a man they believe is behind three armed hotel robberies within three weeks.
Tampa police are searching for a man they believe is behind three armed hotel robberies within three weeks. Tampa Police Department

Police detectives are searching for an armed man they say robbed three hotels within three weeks, according to the Tampa Police Department.

The latest armed robbery took place at the West Wing Hotel at 2501 E. Fowler Ave at 3:53 a.m. Tuesday, police said.

Detectives say an unidentified man walked up to the front desk, pointed a gun at the clerk and demanded money.

Detectives believe the same same man committed similar armed robberies at two hotels along 50th Street in Tampa within the last few weeks.

The first occurred on Nov. 20 around 4:30 a.m. at the Days Inn at 2905 N. 50th St. The second took place on Dec. 11 around 3:13 a.m. at the Quality Inn at 2708 N. 50th St.

In all three robberies, the suspect fled on foot carrying a New York Yankees backpack.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-8477.

Samantha Putterman: 941-745-7027, @samputterman

This story was originally published December 12, 2017 at 4:09 PM with the headline "Police search for gunman they say robbed several hotels."

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