Brandale Swails, Armed Robbery, Tampa FL, 2023

TAMPA, FL – A 29-year-old Tampa man is facing federal charges after allegedly holding a gun to a gas station clerk’s head and robbing the store in October. Brandale Swails was charged with Hobbs Act Robbery, a federal offense carrying a potential 20-year prison sentence.

According to court documents, Swails entered the gas station on October 15th and immediately brandished a firearm, pointing it directly at the victim’s head. He demanded the clerk open the cash register. When the clerk wisely retreated behind the counter, Swails didn’t hesitate, vaulting over the counter in pursuit while continuing to threaten the victim with the weapon. He reportedly told the clerk he would shoot if the register wasn’t opened.

Swails made off with an undisclosed amount of cash before fleeing the scene. Hours later, Hillsborough County deputies spotted Swails driving. A brief pursuit ensued, but Swails refused to stop, leading officers on a chase before abandoning the vehicle. He wasn’t on the run for long. On October 31st, law enforcement found Swails hiding in a closet inside a residence.

During the arrest, officers recovered two loaded firearms in Swails’ possession. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) jointly investigated the case. The swift apprehension and recovery of the weapons are a testament to the collaboration between local and federal authorities.

U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced the unsealing of the criminal complaint Monday, emphasizing that the charges are merely allegations. Swails, like all defendants in the American justice system, is presumed innocent until proven guilty. Assistant U.S. Attorney Diego F. Novaes is assigned to prosecute the case.

This case is being touted as part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” (PSN) initiative, a broad program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through community partnerships and focused enforcement. The DOJ launched a revamped PSN strategy in 2021, prioritizing trust-building, community support, and measurable results. Whether this initiative will truly make a difference on the streets remains to be seen, but for now, one less gun-toting robber is off the streets of Tampa.

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