Joshua Thomas is a suspect for an additional robbery that occurred earlier in the day.
Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office deputies have captured an armed robbery suspect who attempted a robbery earlier this afternoon.
At about 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 27, Joshua Thomas entered the Quick Pick Chevron at State Road 39 and State Road 60. Thomas was wearing a mask and armed with a black pistol. Thomas demanded money, but fled the store and rode away on a motorized bike without receiving any cash.
Following the incident, HCSO deputies responded to the scene and retrieved a store surveillance video. Deputies also spoke with witnesses. Upon reviewing the surveillance video, deputies discovered Thomas was in the store about an hour prior wearing the same clothing without the mask.
Deputy Mike Roberts was informed that Thomas was seen operating a similar bike in the area and began searching for him. Roberts spotted Thomas near Smith Ryals Road and S.R. 60, and attempted to stop him. Thomas fled on the bike but was caught a short distance away.
Thomas' firearm has not yet been recovered.
Upon his arrest, Thomas was identified by attempted robbery witnesses. He was then booked into the Hillsborough County Orient Road Jail, where he is being held without bond.
Currently, Thomas also is a suspect in a robbery that occurred at a Circle K on County Line Road and Coronet Road in Polk County. The robbery occurred a few hours before the attempted Quick Pick Chevron robbery. The Polk County Sheriff's Office is working on that investigation.
Contact Emily Topper at etopper@plantcityobserver.com.
