Two people were arrested Tuesday after deputies said they robbed a Ruskin gas station and shot at a store employee while on I-75.
- Robbery suspects caught after shooting at store employee on I-75
- Kendrick Atkins, Tyler Johnson arrested charged
- Suspects robbed gas station, fled scene, shot at employee on I-75
Kendrick Atkins, 19, and Tyler Johnson, 22, were charged with over 17 criminal counts between them.
Deputies said Atkins stole four cartons of cigarettes from the RaceTrac at 3105 College Avenue by distracting the clerk and running out of the store. Johnson was waiting outside the store in a stolen 2008 Dodge Charger and they both fled the scene, deputies said.
A store employee recognized the suspect vehicle on I-75 and attempted to get the vehicle's license plate. Deputies said the suspects realized the employee was behind them and Atkins began shooting at her. The employee was not injured.
The suspects abandoned the vehicle at Allegro Palms apartment complex and were arrested after a short foot pursuit. Deputies were able to recover the cigarette cartons along with two firearms.
The Dodge Charger was reported stolen during a carjacking on Nov. 11. One of the recovered firearms was reported stolen during a vehicle burglary in Hillsborough County on June 17.
Johnson and Atkins were booked into the Orient Road jail.
Atkins was charged with robbery, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, discharge firearm from a vehicle, felon possession of firearm, grand theft, retail theft, violation of parole-carrying concealed firearm, violation of parole-aggravated battery with deadly weapon, violation of parole-robbery with firearm, and out of county warrant for felony grand theft.
Johnson was charged with driving with license suspended, aggravated assault with deadly weapon, robber, discharge firearm from vehicle, felon in possession of firearm, failure to obey written promise--failure to appear for driving with license cancled, failure to obey written promise--failure to appear possession of cannabis.