When Demand for Cash Fails, Robbery Suspect Takes Cigarettes, Police Say

A convenience store robbery suspect who allegedly took cigarettes after a clerk refused to give him cash is in the Pinellas County Jail, authorities report.

Largo Police report that the suspect allegedly took two cartons of cigarettes after the convenience store clerk would not give him cash from the register on Monday. Police also reportedly found marijuana in the man's pocket when he was caught early Tuesday morning.

Andrew Ogbue, 23, of Largo, went into the Rally on Ulmerton Road late Monday night and allegedly demanded that the clerk give him the money from the cash register. When that did not work, he went into the employee area and took two cartons of Newport cigarettes, according to an arrest affidavit.

According to police, the suspect wore a hoodie covering his head and a red glove on his right hand, which he placed over his face to partially hide his identity. The suspect kept his left hand in his pocket and pointed something through his pocket at the store clerk, the arrest affidavit states.

Ogbue reportedly fled the convenience store on foot around 10:35 p.m. on Oct. 29, according to the affidavit.

A witness recognized Ogbue as a regular customer and was able to pick him out of a photo pack. He was arrested around 3:50 a.m. on Oct. 30.

When Ogbue was arrested, Largo Police found a "green leafy substance," which tested positive for marijuana. The substance was in his right short's pocket, according to police.

Ogbue was arrested on the charges of possession of marijuana, robbery with a weapon, and resisting an officer without violence. He was awaiting trial in Pinellas County Jail on Nov. 1 with a total bond set at $35,300.