Tampa Bay briefs

By Times staff writers

© St. Petersburg Times, published August 13, 2000

Four men charged with armed robbery

TAMPA -- Sheriff's deputies arrested four men early Saturday they said were involved in a robbery Friday that left a store owner with a gunshot wound.

Sgt. Rod Reder said three robbers entered the Value Market at 12201 N Florida Ave. about 8:20 p.m. and fired several rounds into the floor to scare the owners and a clerk. One of the owners was shot in the leg, but later released from St. Joseph's Hospital.

Witnesses saw the men leaving in a van. About 45 minutes after the robbery, deputies arrested four men in a van at 102nd Avenue and Florida Avenue. The men were booked into jail and charged with armed robbery and aggravated battery.

Arrested were Charles Levins, 20, of 9807 N 52nd St.; Antonio Smith, 19, of 1614 N Bay St.; and Andre Williams, 32, and Anthony Tucker, 17, both of 312 E Hanlon St.

Deputies also confiscated a .357 Magnum, which had been reported stolen in Miami.

Man shot while trying to break up argument

TAMPA -- A man trying to break up a fight outside a bar early Saturday morning suffered a gunshot wound to the head.

Barrett Scott Cornish, 22, of 4676 Debby Lane in Lutz, was in critical condition Saturday afternoon at St. Joseph's Hospital.

The man suspected of shooting Cornish, Jeffrey Ryder, 31, of 12916 W Selma St. in Tampa, has been charged with attempted murder.

Sheriff's spokesman Sgt. Rod Reder said Ryder and his girlfriend had been expelled from the Round Up bar at 13918 W Hillsborough Ave. about 1:55 a.m. Saturday. The couple continued arguing in the parking lot.

Reder said Ryder went to a black pickup truck and removed a semiautomatic handgun. He fired one round, which struck Cornish in the head, Reder said. Cornish fell to the ground and Ryder fled in the truck, Reder said.

Witnesses gave deputies the truck's tag number, said Reder. Ryder was arrested about 3 a.m

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