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Robber hospitalized after being shot by victim
Article published on Tuesday, May 27, 2008 |
KENNETH CITY – Pinellas County detectives have identified and arrested an armed robbery suspect who was shot by the victim of his crime.
According to the report from the sheriff’s office, the robbery took place just after 1 p.m. on Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at the All American Pawn Shop at 5903 54th Ave. N. in the unincorporated area of Kenneth City.
According to detectives, the suspect entered the pawn shop and began smashing display cases and taking items from inside them. During the robbery the owner of the shop armed himself with a 9mm handgun and fired at least three times at the suspect. The suspect fled from the scene on foot and is believed to have been hit by gunfire.
During the on-scene investigation detectives recovered the baseball bat used by the suspect to commit the robbery along with one of his shoes. They also found a blood trail leading away from the pawn shop and recovered property stolen during the robbery.
A Sheriff’s Office helicopter and canine team were called in to search for the suspect, who eluded capture for several hours by concealing himself in a nearby apartment, the report said.
According to detectives; the suspect, Willie J. Clarkson, 20, of St. Petersburg, was identified after paramedics were called to his girlfriend’s apartment at 5260 59th Place N. about 3 ½ hours after the robbery.
Detectives said Clarkson had been shot at least twice during the robbery and suffered life-threatening injuries.
According to the report, Clarkson’s girlfriend, 16, called his sister telling her that he had been injured. Two of the suspect’s sisters then drove to the apartment arriving at about 4:45 p.m. at which time they immediately called 911.
After deputies and paramedics arrived on the scene, Clarkson was transported by ambulance to Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg where he was admitted for treatment.
Detectives said they linked the suspect to the crime through physical evidence that included a shoe matching one worn by the suspect that was left at the crime scene when he fled after being shot. Clarkson was arrested on one count of armed robbery and remained in custody at the hospital until such time that he is well enough to be transferred to the Pinellas County Jail.
The investigation continues.
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Article published on Tuesday, May 27, 2008
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