Robbers belong to Bloods gang, deputies say

By Times Staff Writer
Published January 1, 2008

BRANDON

Three men arrested Sunday night in the armed robbery of a Brandon Subway sandwich shop are members of the gang Bloods, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said Monday. James Michael Davis, 20, of 928 Nina Elizabeth Circle, Apt. 202, Brandon; David Lavone Hill, 18, of 4903 E Temple Heights Road, Apt. B, Tampa; and Rodney Brenard Richardson, 23, of 602 E Alexander St., Apt. 202, Plant City, all face charges of armed robbery, aggravated assault with a firearm and obstructing or opposing an officer without violence. Davis and Hill also were charged with battery.

TAMPA

Car crash kills one, critically injures one

A man was killed and a teen critically injured in a car crash Sunday morning.

Johnny Williams, 26, of Riverview was killed running a red light at S 78th Street and Progress Boulevard about 2:25 a.m., the Hillsborough Sheriff's Office said. His 1995 Ford truck hit a 2000 Mitsubishi driven by Thomas Chrzanowski, 17, of Riverview, deputies said. Chrzanowski was in critical condition Monday.

Lutz

Pedestrian dies when struck by vehicle

A pedestrian was struck and killed Saturday morning, according to the Sheriff's Office.

Eric J. Meyers, 47, of 6108 Chalon Court, Lutz, was hit at 6:20 a.m. by a 1994 Chevrolet Blazer driven by Willie J. Morris, 49, of 4611 N 44th St. in Tampa.

PINELLAS COUNTY

Would-be candidate changes his mind

Lawyer Tom Minkoff is withdrawing from the race to succeed Pinellas Property Appraiser Jim Smith.

Minkoff, a Republican, had said the controversy surrounding Smith's sale of his private land to the county prompted him to run.

In an e-mailed statement, Minkoff said he decided to run because the office needed change and a "restoration of integrity and public trust." Since then, he added, "other fresh faces have emerged." Last month , the Times reported that the Hillsborough property appraiser stripped Minkoff's 11-acre family citrus grove of its agricultural exemption because it appeared to be more a hobby than a business.

Minkoff's withdrawal leaves two announced candidates: Smith's chief deputy, Republican Pam Dubov, and Realtor Ben Friedlander, a Democrat.

[Last modified December 31, 2007, 23:10:56]