Man with gun runs off with cash register

By Times Staff Writer
Published November 14, 2007

TAMPA - The sound of a woman's scream and a gunshot echoed through Channelside Tuesday as a man robbed a gas station and fled.

Remata Senter, 66, was standing on the fourth-floor pool deck of the Ventana condominium when she heard the yell and the bang from the BP gas station across the street at Kennedy Boulevard and Channelside Drive.

Tampa police searched for a man they said entered the gas station at 1:15 p.m. and ran off with a cash register. Helicopters, canines and patrol cars cased downtown Tampa for hours after the robbery.

Cpl. Jared Douds said the robber may have injured himself in the process, possibly by gunshot. One shot was fired inside the store and maybe two more outside, Douds said.

No witnesses or bystanders were injured. Thecashier appeared shaken as she spoke with a detective at the scene.

Senter, concierge for the Ventana, said cameras surrounding the condos captured pictures of the robber running into the alley on the western side of the building, then discarding dark-colored clothing into a Dumpster.

[Last modified November 14, 2007, 00:30:55]