Apollo Beach, Fla. (NewsRadio WFLA)- Four teens believed to be tied to a series of cigarette thefts at Tampa Bay area convenience stores have been arrested after a high speed chase along U.S. 41 in Apollo Beach..
Hillsborough County deputies say they were notified about a pursuit by Manatee County deputies after a cigarette robbery there. Not long after that alert, seven boys drove up to the 7-11 store on U.S. 41 in Apollo Beach and took $600 worth of cigarettes. The seven left in separate cars.
Deputies started a chase that ended when one of the cars crashed at 41 and Falls Boulevard in Apollo Beach. A white Toyota, with other suspects inside, managed to escape. The four arrested in the car that crashed are identified as 17 year-old Eric Padilla, 17 year-old Traequan Moore, 19 year-old Brashon Hall and 16 year-old Frankie Cuevas.
Investigators believe the same group robbed a Circle K on Memorial Highway in Tampa and a 7-11 in Largo. Cigarettes were stolen in both robberies.
Photo Courtesy of News Channel 8