Armed Robbery Suspects Impersonate SWAT Officers During Drug Deal

Authorities are searching for two men involved in an armed robbery impersonating SWAT team members during a drug deal gone bad.

A 24-year-old complainant said a man named “TJ” picked him up around midnight to go buy drugs, according to the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office.

The man said TJ stopped at a house near Dr. Martin Luther King Way and Chester Avenue where a black Crown Victoria with a flashing bubble light pulled up behind them, according to the sheriff's office.

The complainant said two black males wore jackets with the word “SWAT” across the front and black masks exited the car and threatened him and TJ with a handgun and a pump shotgun, according to the sheriff's office.

Both men were reportedly robbed of cash, cell phones, an XBox and games.

The complainant told the sheriff's office he and TJ took off in different directions and the suspects fled the scene.

Anyone with information on this crime, the suspects involved or the vehicle is encouraged to call Criminal Investigations at 941-861-4900 or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers by calling 941-366-TIPS (8477), online at www.sarasotacrimestoppers.com or via text message by texting TIP109 plus a message to CRIMES (274637).