GIBSONTON, Fla. — Three burglary suspects were taken into custody early Friday morning following a joint overnight surveillance operation in Hillsborough County, according to local law enforcement.
The arrests were made during the early hours of Aug. 14, 2026, through a coordinated effort by the Tampa Police Department and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. Investigators had been conducting overnight surveillance to address a recent pattern of commercial burglaries in the area.
During the operation, Tampa police officers spotted the suspects targeting a McDonald’s restaurant. Officers then observed the group move to the Taiwan Express, a restaurant located at 11022 US Hwy 41 S in Gibsonton, which they proceeded to burglarize.
As law enforcement moved in on the Taiwan Express location, one of the suspects attempted to escape through a rear exit and physically resisted the arresting officers.
According to a police statement, a Tampa police officer’s firearm accidentally discharged during the physical struggle with the suspect. Authorities confirmed that no one was struck or injured by the gunfire, including the suspects, police officers, sheriff’s deputies, and bystanders.
All three suspects were arrested at the scene.
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