Ruskin woman robbed at gunpoint by fortune teller who used services as ruse: deputies
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A fortune teller was arrested after she allegedly used her services to rob people, including a woman who was held up at gunpoint in Ruskin last month, a search warrant from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said.
Carola Mitchell, 52, is facing several charges, including robbery and kidnapping with a firearm after she reportedly stole $12,000 from a woman on May 16, according to the warrant.
The robbery occurred at a home on South Star Drive.
Deputies said Mitchell went to to the victim’s home and asked her where she could buy Mexican food and if she could come inside for some water.
Woman caught in rip current is 6th tourist to drown in Florida waters in just 4 days
After the woman let her inside the home, Mitchell pulled out a handgun, put the weapon against the victim’s back, and told her to give her money. Mitchell followed the victim to her bedroom and made her open her purse.
She took $12,000 and left the home.
Deputies said security cameras at a nearby home captured a white Nissan Rogue leaving the area around the time the robbery occurred, and that the driver matched the victim’s description of Mitchell. They obtained more surveillance video from area businesses that showed Mitchell driving the Nissan.
About a month later, on June 10, Mitchell was seen driving the Nissan in Bradenton and was arrested shortly after, deputies said.
Missing Florida paddleboarder’s equipment found nearly a dozen miles offshore: USCG
Investigators said Mitchell had been using her fortune-telling services “as a ruse to gain entry into victim’s homes,” where she would steal cash and jewelry.
Mitchell told deputies she keeps her phone on her at all times, so they requested a warrant to search the device. Investigators suspect the phone has evidence proving she was at the victim’s home during the robbery, and that it may contain messages from other victims.
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
