TAMPA, Fla. – The Tampa Police Department has made four arrests in connection with a burglary that occurred at Hibbett Sports on October 10th, following Hurricane Milton. The suspects are accused of exploiting the aftermath of the storm to break into the store and steal thousands of dollars worth of merchandise.
On the night of the burglary, officers responded to an alarm at the Hibbett Sports located at 2525 E. Hillsborough Avenue. They discovered the storefront had been rammed by a vehicle and a large quantity of jerseys, shoes, and other clothing had been stolen.
READ: Polk County Human Trafficking Sting Nets 157 Arrests: Disney Worker, 25 Illegal Immigrants
Through investigative work, officers traced the stolen goods to a residence in the 3600 block of N. 28th Street. Surveillance of the residence led to the arrest of 24-year-old Darryl Hill during a traffic stop on October 16th. Stolen merchandise was recovered from his vehicle.
Continued surveillance resulted in the arrests of 24-year-old Dalanish Weaver and 32-year-old Deontae Hill in the early morning hours of October 17th. The two were observed discarding stolen items from the residence. Weaver is Darryl Hill’s girlfriend, and Deontae Hill is his brother.
A subsequent search warrant executed at the residence led to the recovery of more stolen merchandise and the arrest of 61-year-old Cheryl Hill, the mother of Darryl and Deontae.
READ: Lightning Host Golden Knights In Rematch Of Last Season’s Sweep
All four suspects are currently being held at Orient Road Jail on charges of dealing in stolen property. Dalanish Weaver and Deontae Hill face additional charges of tampering with physical evidence.
“This case demonstrates the dedication and hard work of our officers in ensuring that those who take advantage of vulnerable situations, such as natural disasters, are held accountable,” said Chief Lee Bercaw. “We are committed to protecting our community and holding those who would commit crime accountable.”
The investigation is ongoing, and further charges may be filed. Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to contact the Tampa Police Department at 813-231-6130 and reference report number 24-617375.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Android Users: Download our free app to stay up-to-date on the latest news.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.