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Suspect sought in smash and grabBy ANGELA MOORE © St. Petersburg Times, published June 22, 2000 TAMPA -- The smash-and-grab thieves who are targeting convenience stores strike in the quiet darkness of early morning with the stealth and subtlety of a freight train. Using crowbars, trash cans, bricks and trucks, the thieves smash through the front doors of a store, taking whatever they can get their hands on. Usually, that doesn't amount to much since cash registers are practically empty at that time of day. The real cost for the businesses comes with the smashing, not the grabbing. Wednesday, the Sheriff's Office issued a warrant for the arrest of a suspect they said is responsible for at least one of the nearly 20 such robberies in the city and county since May 22. On June 11, authorities said, Golden Reed, 51, an ex-convict on probation for other crimes and with no known address, smashed through the front glass of a Texaco station at 8145 W Waters Ave. He and another man filled up large trash cans with cigarette cartons and left, they said. Detectives said the store surveillance video shows Reed for several minutes. After the tape aired on television, several people called the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office to say the man was Reed. Reed is no stranger to Florida prison; records show he has done time for aggravated battery, grand theft auto, burglary and possession of cocaine. Reed's last known address was in Sarasota, but he doesn't live there anymore. Deputies were looking for him Wednesday night. Two more shops were hit early Wednesday, Reder said. A minivan was used to crash into the ABC Lounge at 6943 W Hillsborough Ave., and robbers used a crowbar to get into the Shop Rite Food Store at 7027 N Himes Ave. In both instances, only coins and cigarettes were stolen. Reder said detectives are trying to determine which robberies are related. "It's still too early to tell, but of course we hope they're related," Reder said. "That would make them much easier to catch."
 © St. Petersburg Times. All rights reserved. 
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