Crime & Safety

Gas Station Purse Theft Suspect Identified

Tampa police say the suspect is wanted in conjunction with a rash of purse thefts at gas stations throughout the city and in the northern part of Hillsborough County.

One arrest warrant has been issued in a string of gas station auto burglaries that have plagued the city of Tampa and Hillsborough County over the last two weeks.

According to the Tampa Police Department, Justin Seebech, 22, has been connected to a theft that took place July 18 at 1312 E. Busch Blvd.

“His warrant is for auto burglary and petit theft,” a TPD media release said. “Detectives believe he is working with other suspects.”

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The police department also issued a crime analysis report today that details all of the recent purse thefts. (See the PDF that accompanies this story.)

“Some of the gas stations have been targeted more than once,” the report said. “In each offense, the MO is the same with female victims having their purses stolen from their unlocked vehicles, as they were distracted pumping gas.”

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According to that report, Seebech is wanted in connection with several cases.

“He had used the same stolen vehicle, which has since been recovered, to commit at least two of the offenses,” the report said. It is unclear if he is involved in all the recent gas station purse thefts.

Seebech is no stranger to local law enforcement. Jail records indicate he has been arrested in Hillsborough County nine times since 2006. He was most recently arrested on drug charges in December 2011. Seebech's last known address is 1206 108th Ave. in Tampa. 

Anyone with information about the cases or Seebech’s whereabouts is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-TIPS or the Tampa Police Department.

Here’s a breakdown of all the recent cases:

  • July 13 at Circle K, 15527 N. Dale Mabry Highway;
  • July 14 at Marathon Gas Station, 902 E. Hillsborough Ave.;
  • July 14 at BP, 1312 E. Busch Blvd.;
  • July 17 at Radiant, 11303 N. Dale Mabry Highway;
  • July 18 at BP, 1312 E. Busch Blvd.;
  • July 18 at Hess, 3611 W. Bearss Ave.;
  • July 18 at Shell, 5705 Gunn Highway;
  • July 20 at Sam's, 15835 N. Dale Mabry Highway;
  • July 20 at Hess, 17102 N. U.S. 41;
  • July 24 at BP, 2107 E. Fowler Ave.;
  • July 28 at Radiant, 2356 W. Hillsborough Ave.;
  • Aug. 1 at Circle K, 1001 N. Dale Mabry Highway;
  • Aug. 1 at Sunoco, 4155 Henderson Blvd.


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