Police get tip on hit-run vehicle

By Times staff writer

© St. Petersburg Times, published May 23, 2001

LARGO -- Police investigating the Friday hit-and-run death of a bicyclist here have received an anonymous tip that the Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo that struck him might be in the Orlando area.

Stephen Gunter, 39, was struck by the Jeep about 11:10 p.m. Friday as he rode across Belcher Road just north of Ulmerton Road. He was pronounced dead at Largo Medical Center 39 minutes later, police said.

Using a piece of a side mirror broken off the hit-and-run vehicle during the crash, police determined it was a Laredo model made between 1999-2001. The vehicle is maroon on top and gray on the bottom. It should have damage to its driver's side mirror and its front driver-side headlight area.

An anonymous tipster calling Crime Stoppers told police Monday that the vehicle might be at a repair shop in the Orlando area. The caller could provide no more information, police said.

Anyone with information about the whereabouts of the vehicle, or the driver, can call investigators Rex Troche or George Edmiston at 587-6730.

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