TAMPA, FL – A Bradenton man is facing federal charges after allegedly holding up a Tampa business with a firearm last week. Devon Floyd, 31, was arrested and charged with one count of Hobbs Act robbery, a federal offense that carries a potential sentence of up to 20 years behind bars.
According to a criminal complaint filed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida, Floyd walked into a Tampa business on August 10th and initially asked the clerk for a free bottle of water. When the request was denied, the situation quickly escalated. Floyd allegedly walked behind the counter and lifted his jacket, revealing a firearm to the terrified clerk.
The complaint details how Floyd then demanded the clerk empty the cash register, seizing the money before making a swift getaway in a dark-colored Mazda. While the amount of cash stolen hasn’t been released, the brazen nature of the robbery, committed in broad daylight, has sparked a multi-agency investigation.
Federal investigators aren’t stopping with this single incident. Authorities suspect Floyd is responsible for a string of similar robberies across the region and are actively investigating potential links to other unsolved crimes. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is leading the investigation, with support from the FBI, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and multiple local police departments including Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and the Tampa Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Samantha Newman will be prosecuting the case. It’s crucial to remember that a criminal complaint is merely an accusation, and Floyd is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a federal initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence by fostering collaboration between law enforcement and local communities.
The investigation remains ongoing, and federal authorities are urging anyone with information regarding these robberies to come forward. This is the latest in a string of federal crackdowns on violent crime in the Tampa Bay area, demonstrating a commitment to holding perpetrators accountable and ensuring the safety of local businesses and residents.
Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free
Browse More
