On Thursday, January 20, 2011, at approximately 8:50 pm, two PBSO detectives were in an unmarked PBSO vehicle and observed a suspicious person and vehicle in front of the Stop N’ Go located at the intersection of Drexel Road and Belvedere Road, WPB. No contact was made. Approximately 30 minutes later the same vehicle, 1999 tan Lincoln Continental, was observed traveling on Belvedere Road. While traveling side streets north of Belvedere Road, the suspect’s vehicle began to follow the detectives. Detectives believing that the suspect’s vehicle was tailing them turned their vehicle and parked on Wynnedale Circle facing west. The suspect’s vehicle traveled north on Wynnedale Road and stopped at the intersection. The front right passenger raised a weapon, believed to be a rifle, and fired twice at the detectives. One of the projectiles entered the windshield and exited out the passenger rear window. The detectives were unharmed and did not return gunfire. A perimeter was established and through a citizen’s call, the suspect’s vehicle was discovered abandoned in the 1400 block of Meadowbrook Lane, WPB.
We are in the process of examining the video from the Stop N’ Go. We are also in the process of obtaining a search warrant so we can examine the vehicle.
We believe the suspects were aware of our detectives and we believe the suspects followed our detectives in an attempt to ambush and kill them.
If anyone was in the area of Wynnedale Circle last evening and may have witnessed this shooting they are urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-458-TIPS stay anonymous and be eligible for up to $1,000 REWARD or text tips @ tips@cspbc.com