Press Releases

MetroPCS Robbery
March 29, 2008

An experienced gunman walks into a busy cell phone store just before closing on a Saturday night… and walks out with a large amount of cash. Now, detectives are looking for the identity of this robber believed to be well versed in the ways of crime.

“He’s absolutely done this before. I don’t think this was his first time… I wouldn’t consider him anything other than armed and dangerous,” said Detective Thom Cullen.

On January 20th, around 7:30 p.m., the Hispanic male shown in this video casually walked into the Metro PCS Store on State Road 29 in Immokalee. Brandishing a semi-automatic handgun, he walked to the back of the counter, demanded that employees stuff a store bag full of money, then walks out - as if nothing unusual had ever happened.

Detectives say when the suspect walked through the doors of this Metro PCS Store, that he was very calm. He showed the actions of an experienced criminal who wasn’t about to leave empty handed.

Detectives say the armed robbery was likely planned - another indication that the suspect has done this before.

“The night was over, they had all the money they had taken in for payments during the day, and this is a very busy store in Immokalee.” Cullen said.

Just a few weeks later, another Metro PCS Store in Hendry County was robbed, by a man fitting this same description, using the identical MO. Investigators hope someone will be able to put a name with this picture – putting a criminal behind bars, and getting a cash reward for doing it.

“In this robbery, cash was a motivating factor, and a cash reward is going to motivate someone who knows him,” Cullen said.

Anyone with information on the identity of the man who held up this Metro PCS Store is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477). All callers will remain anonymous and will be eligible for up to $1,000 in cash rewards.