Friday Night Rewind It doesn't matter which team you cheer for. We've got video previews of every high school football program in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco and Hernando County.
ST. PETERSBURG — Three armed men broke into a downtown restaurant, sexually assaulted an employee and stole cash early Sunday, police said.
A few employees were cleaning after closing time at the Table, a popular restaurant and bar that opened in April at 539 Central Ave. As a worker opened the back door into the alley to take out the trash, three men armed with handguns ran inside, police spokesman Bill Proffitt said.
They stole cash, injured one employee and sexually assaulted another, who also suffered bruises and scratches. Proffitt wouldn't give the gender of the victim to protect the employee's identity. He also wouldn't say how many of the men were suspected in the sexual assault.
Proffitt said the employees didn't know the robbers, who were 18 to 25 years old and wore masks and dark clothing. He said they left physical evidence at the scene that police hope will help the investigation.
"There's no indication that this is a part of a pattern of crimes," Proffitt said.
The upscale, small restaurant and a bar, called the Mesa Lounge, are located in the bottom floor of the Alexander Building. Restaurant co-owner Rafael Manzano could not be reached for comment.
Across the street at the Emerald Bar, owner George Marano said his business has never been robbed since he started working there in 1982. He's heard of burglaries of vacant buildings at night, but never one where the robbers entered when employees were working.
"I find this very disturbing," Marano said. "They're getting bold."
Stephanie Garry can be reached at (727) 892-2374 or sgarry@sptimes.com.
[Last modified: Aug 10, 2008 10:09 AM]
Comments on this article
by Ron
Aug 10, 2008 10:09 AM
I work a couple of block from that restaurant every weekend night. I want to know the race of the suspect and other details to know what to watch out for when I take out the trash by myself. The St Pete Times need to give more details!
by Shannon
Aug 9, 2008 2:18 PM
The downtown deployment team is such a great concept. It can work. But, not when the department is understaffed. We need and have the right to be safe and protected in our city. And, our police officers need to be able to do their jobs correctly.
by mike
Aug 7, 2008 3:02 PM
Where are the "foot post" These PD is run like a "mickey mouse operation"
by s
Aug 6, 2008 4:27 PM
we need more police on bikes downtown!
by Chris
Aug 6, 2008 1:53 PM
I've never heard of the police not saying the gender of the person assaulted. Could the robbers be gay? So now we have a description of three males 18-25 who might be gay or maybe not. This is the level of reporting we get from two Times staffers?
by ann
Aug 6, 2008 11:56 AM
call your mayor, there were only two police officers working ALL of downtown that night. They are so bogged down with calls and bad computer systems they can't patrol.
by Ernie
Aug 6, 2008 11:55 AM
I firmly believe the St. Petersburg P.D. needs more police officers. Regardless, there should be some walking post in Downtown. Such presence would be good for businesses and visitors alike. Let everyone feel safer by police walking the beat.
by Chris
Aug 6, 2008 10:56 AM
So three men are described by their age range but not by their race? Why? Was it three black males or 3 white males or 3 hispanic males etc. Is this PC reporting or what?
by Sal
Aug 6, 2008 8:59 AM
When I first moved to FL I lived in St. Pete and I never felt so close to crime. Frankly, it is a fairly dangerous area.
by Pete
Aug 6, 2008 8:59 AM
There must be more to this than meets the reader's eye.
Subscribe to the Times
Click here for daily delivery
of the St. Petersburg Times.
News
