Tampa Bay briefs

By Times staff reports
© St. Petersburg Times
published July 4, 2002

Robbers hit a McDonald's in Tampa early Wednesday

TAMPA -- Hillsborough County Sheriff's officials are looking for two armed robbers who smashed their way into a fast food restaurant Wednesday as employees prepared to open for business.

According to sheriff's Lt. Rod Reder, two masked men shattered a locked glass door at the McDonald's at 6906 N 56th St. about 5 a.m. and ordered several workers to lie on the floor.

The men, armed with a handgun and a knife, stole an undisclosed amount of money.

Authorities identify man who died in fire

ST. PETERSBURG -- Authorities have identified the man who died in an apartment fire Tuesday night as Stephen Ray Minkel, 47.

Police say Minkel apparently fell asleep while smoking in his apartment in Building 10 of the Crosswinds Apartments at 500 110th Ave. N.

Foul play is not suspected, police said.

The fire, which started shortly after 9 p.m., did not damage any other apartments in the complex.

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