St. Petersburg Police are investigating two cases this afternoon where realtors showing homes were robbed at gunpoint.
In the first case, in the 1700 block of Oxford St. N., the female realtor was showing a home to a man, when he pulled out a handgun and secured her hands and feet with zip ties, police said.
Police said a phone call was made to her husband to request a ransom. The gunman left the scene and she was able to loosen her feet and escape to a nearby home.
Tim Adair never knew how important being at the right place at the right time was until this afternon right in front of his house."She ran down the driveway and ran across," said Adair. "I happpened to look out and that's what I saw and I thought, 'oh boy, this is not good.'"
In the second case, a realtor was showing a home to a man in the 5800 block of 12th Street N., when he robbed her at gunpoint.
Neighbor Shelly Froh said before police showed up, a red flag went up in her head just seeing who was walking around the property.
"He seemed very suspicious," said Froh. "I don't know if this was the person that did this or not, but there was just something that was not right about it."
The suspect in both cases is described as a white man, mid 40's, 5'5" to 5'8" medium build. He was wearing a straw hat, a dark blue shirt and black pants. He was driving a silver Nissan Murano.
"He for some reason got spooked and left the scene and she was able to escape and go to a neighbor for help," said Yolanda Fernandez with SPPD.
The Pinellas Realtors Organizaion is alerting all of its members to be on the lookout, and to not show homes to a man who identifies himself as Robert Evans.