Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Police point to former inmate in spate of violent robberies

By JUSTIN GEORGE
Published May 13, 2006

TAMPA - Tampa police are tracking a former prison inmate they think is involved in a crime spree that has been escalating in violence.

Rykeith Levatte left prison in February, according to state records, after serving three years and four months for two counts of grand theft on a motor vehicle and two counts of burglary of an unoccupied structure.

Tampa police think that soon after being released, Levatte, 19, joined with at least two partners and stole a 2002 gold Dodge Intrepid.

Tampa police spokeswoman Laura McElroy said the car was used to box in another car and force the driver out. Investigators believe the aim was to carjack the other driver, but the men ended up robbing the woman and letting her keep the car, McElroy said.

An officer saw the Intrepid, ran the tag through a database and discovered it had been stolen. A short pursuit ended when the men jumped out and fled.

Police arrested James Brown, 24, and Ransom Flowers, 19, both of Tampa, and charged them with suspicion of armed robbery, attempted carjacking and grand theft.

Detectives think the man who got away was Levatte, McElroy said, and that he has since connected with a fourth man identified as Jamie Seay, 17. Police say Levatte and Seay, along with others, have been involved in half a dozen robberies, stealing cars and valuables inside and targeting people walking alone or sitting alone at bus stops. In some cases, victims have been pistol-whipped in the face and forced to the ground.

"We've got to catch these guys before they seriously hurt somebody," McElroy said.

One victim was walking into the Seven Seas strip club on Kennedy Boulevard. Another was attacked walking out of 2606, a bar on N Armenia Avenue. A third was attacked while sitting at a bus stop at Waters and Dixon avenues. A fourth victim was attacked in her office at Johnson Court Apartments on Troy Court.

On Sunday, police chased two men who were in a car stolen from International Plaza. Police say the duo who fled were Levatte and Seay. Officers arrested Darion Washington, 16, on suspicion of grand theft auto and other felony charges.

Seay has 11 prior arrests. Levatte's first encounter with police came when he was 11, McElroy said, and he has a long arrest history.

Anyone with information about the crimes or suspects should call police at (813) 276-3567.

[Last modified May 13, 2006, 02:42:41]