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Largo convenience store owner thwarts robbery

 
Published Jan. 10, 2012

LARGO — A convenience store owner thwarted an armed robbery Saturday when he pulled out a gun before a man attempting to rob his store could brandish his own, police said.

The incident happened just before noon at Steve's Qwik Mart, 7500 Ulmerton Road.

The store's owner, who was not identified, noticed a suspicious person outside his store about 11:45 a.m. The victim of a previous robbery on Dec. 19, 2011, he grabbed a firearm, police said.

After pacing outside for a few moments, the man entered the store, lifted his shirt and began to brandish a black firearm, police said.

The store owner pulled his own out first and pointed it at the man, who fled without taking anything.

Police described the man as black, between 18 and his early 20s. He was between 5 feet 9 and 5 feet 11 and about 150 to 170 pounds. He was dressed in dark pants and a black, hooded sweatshirt.

Anybody with information about the incident is asked to call Largo's Investigative Services Division at (727) 587-6730.