Zephyrhills Man Previously Convicted Of Five Robberies Indicted For String Of Armed Robberies Throughout Tampa Bay (DOJ)

Tampa, Florida - United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the indictment of Peter Latimore, Jr. (43, Zephyrhills) with interference of commerce by robbery, attempted robbery, use of a firearm during and in commission of a felony offense, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. If convicted, Latimore faces a minimum sentence of 29 years, up to life, in federal prison.

According to the criminal complaint and indictment, between October 2 and November 22, 2024, Latimore committed armed robberies of Tampa Bay area businesses, including a supermarket on Fowler Avenue in Tampa, a supermarket in Brandon, a supermarket in Zephyrhills, and a beauty supply shop in Plant City. On each occasion, Latimore approached the customer service desk and lifted his shirt to display a firearm to the clerks. In one instance, Latimore told the clerk to hurry up or he would shoot her.

ATF agents and local law enforcements officers identified Latimore, arrested him, and on December 3, 2024, executed search warrants at his residence. During the search, law enforcement officers located the pistol he allegedly used in the commission of his offenses.

An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Plant City Police Department, and the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Diego F. Novaes.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.