Investigators are hopeful a tip they received this week could be connected to a string of Florida homicides believed to have been committed by a serial killer.
According to WAGA, Tampa police revealed that a tip led officers to a Ybor City McDonald’s where they surrounded a vehicle in the parking lot and identified its driver as the suspect.
Chief Brian Dugan said officers found a gun while taking the driver into custody. He noted the individual was not under arrest at that time and was only being question by police.
Reports indicate local police have been inundated with tips related to the widely publicized deaths of Benjamin Mitchell, Monica Hoffa, Anthony Naiboa and Ronald Felton, all killed within the Seminole Heights community in recent weeks.
TPD has gotten more than 5,000 tips regarding SE Seminole Heights cases.
— Haley Hinds FOX 13 (@HaleyHinds) November 28, 2017
Dugan said officers are hopeful this one is credible and allows them to remove a dangerous killer from the streets, WKRG reported.
“This person might be completely innocent,” he acknowledged, though he said he is “optimistic” the lead will net results for investigators.
"I'm optimistic on this one, but only time will tell. We have a lot of work to do. We are going to be in the neighborhood tonight. It's very important that people still use caution, stay together when you are outside, be careful out there." -Chief Brian Dugan
— Haley Hinds FOX 13 (@HaleyHinds) November 28, 2017
“But time will tell,” Dugan said, predicting it was “going to be a long night.”
Though he offered few details about the investigation, the Bradenton Herald noted he did specifically note a suspected tie to the string of homicides.
“I believe this has something to do with Seminole Heights,” he said.
His comments came around 5 p.m. Tuesday, just over two hours after police received the initial report of a person with a gun.
As of the latest reports, police have the area surrounding the McDonald’s blocked and are searching the Ford Mustang the suspect had been driving.
This is a developing story. CrimeOnline will provide updates as they become available.
[Featured image: Pixabay]
