TAMPA, Fla. — Tampa Police have arrested two people following an investigation into an August 1 robbery involving a victim met at the Seminole Hard Rock Casino.
According to police, Benjamin Lopez, 37, and Anayaliz M. Dorsey-Criado, 18, met the victim—a man in his early 30s—at the casino. The victim subsequently gave Dorsey-Criado a ride to an apartment complex on the 2800 block of Valentine Court during the early morning hours of August 1.
Investigators said that upon arrival, Dorsey-Criado asked to borrow the victim’s phone as they exited the vehicle. The victim reported that Lopez was waiting near a stairwell, pointing a firearm at him and demanding money. Lopez and Dorsey-Criado then fled the scene with the victim’s money and phone.
Detectives reviewed surveillance footage from the casino showing Lopez and Dorsey-Criado with the victim, leading to the identification of both suspects.
“It’s terrible the victim was taken advantage of in this way,” said Acting Chief Brett Owen. “Detectives were relentless in their efforts to identify the suspects involved and hold them accountable.”
Lopez has been charged with Robbery with a Firearm ($750 or More But Less Than $20,000), Felon in Possession of a Firearm, and Grand Theft Third Degree. Dorsey-Criado faces charges of Robbery with a Firearm ($750 or More But Less Than $20,000) and Grand Theft Third Degree.
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