Man accused of robbing student at Orlando Premium Outlets

Thomas Hargrove arrested on charge of robbery with firearm

ORLANDO, Fla. – A man was arrested on allegations of robbing a prospective Rollins College student at gunpoint outside the Orlando Premium Outlets.

Thomas Hargrove, 42, of Tampa, was arrested in the April 30 robbery. Orlando police said he might be linked to several other crimes in the area.

The 18-year-old student, who attended Ocoee High School at the time of the robbery, told police that she was sitting in her car waiting to go to work at the Converse store when a man with a handgun approached her and demanded money, according to police.

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"I turn around there is this man standing here," the victim told News 6. "He was like, 'Give me your money, give me your money.'"

The student said she handed over her wallet, which contained her bank card, and her iPhone, according to police. 

"When I saw the gun I was like, 'Don't shoot me,' It's three days before prom," the victim said.

The teen was not injured during the robbery.

The man ran off and was arrested this month on a charge of robbery with a firearm, police said.

The teen said she was relieved to hear of his arrest.

"Now that he is arrested I can walk into work and not have to worry about him tracking down my car," she said.

She said she won't be parking behind the outlets again.


About the Author

Daniel started with WKMG-TV in 2000 and became the digital content manager in 2009. When he's not working on ClickOrlando.com, Daniel likes to head to the beach or find a sporting event nearby.

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