ST. PETERSBURG - Store surveillance cameras at Tyrone Square Mall and Ellenton Premium Outlets have images of a couple using credit cards stolen hours earlier from a St. Petersburg woman during a home invasion and robbery.
Police are not identifying the 50-year-old victim for her safety. The robbery and home invasion occurred at the Meadows Apartments, where the victim, who is a bank worker, lives alone. She was beaten and tied up by two suspects who forced their way into her apartment unit on May 14, 2011, police say.
St. Petersburg Police detectives are asking for the public's help in identifying the two people caught on camera using the stolen credit cards the same day the robbery took place.
The man and woman are described as being in their 20s. The man wore a yellow and black racing jacket, and the woman weighed about 200 pounds, wore a blonde wig, and had a tattoo on her right arm.
Here is the police account of the home invasion and robbery:
At just after midnight, on May 14, the 50-year-old victim was asleep in her apartment at Meadows Apartments, 830 117th Terrace North, in St. Petersburg.
Two male suspects forced open an apartment window and proceeded to the victim's bedroom. One of the suspects struck the victim's head with a hard object that may have been a gun. The victim's ankles and wrists were bound. The suspects then searched her apartment for valuables.
According to police, the robbers also questioned the victim about where she might be hiding valuables; they also hit her on the head again with the same object.
The suspects left the apartment through the front door, taking electronics and the victim's purse.
Police say the woman was able to free herself from the bindings about an hour later, at which time she called police.
The victim did not know here assailants, police said. There are no indications that this crime is drug-related or that the victim was targeted, according to a written police statement.
Later that day, two individuals were discovered to have used the victim's stolen credit cards at the Ellenton Premium Outlets in Ellenton and at Tyrone Square Mall in St. Petersburg.
Store surveillance cameras captured images of a man and a woman making purchases with the victim's credit cards.
Anyone with information is asked to call Det. Robert Anderson, at 727-892-5910, or 727-893-7780. Callers may also contact the Tip Line: 727-892-5000.
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