Spate of Gunpoint Robberies at Florida Vape Shops

Dec.15.2022
Spate of Gunpoint Robberies at Florida Vape Shops
Two e-cigarette shops in Florida were robbed by armed suspects, prompting a joint effort by law enforcement agencies to catch the criminals.

Recently, a theft occurred at an e-cigarette store in Sarasota County, Florida, USA.


According to surveillance footage, when a single shot failed to break the glass of the Sarasota Honey Bee Ridge Road e-cigarette shop, the suspect fired again. The store's internal surveillance video shows the individual walking through the broken glass.


On December 5th, a theft occurred at a vape shop. Three days later, a second vape shop was robbed. Officials in Manitowoc County, USA, responded to these similar crimes and are working together to apprehend the armed criminals.


In surveillance video footage from a Sarasota store, the first suspect is seen swiftly taking the cash register and merchandise. The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office stated that the suspect appeared to prioritize speed over stealth.


According to Dana Judge, spokesperson for the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office, while it may have been the quickest way, this certainly seems to be the only reason why this occurred, as it was a noisy and disruptive way to enter. The perpetrator appeared to be agile, as seen in some videos, jumping over countertops and concrete walls before jumping out from behind a store.


The judge stated that it is unusual to see a thief using a firearm to break into a store. Investigators hope that this will help them solve the case and apprehend the suspect.


Although these two home burglary cases occurred in Sarasota County, the Manatee County Sheriff's Office has reported similar crimes within their jurisdiction. In the past few weeks, three e-cigarette stores have been targeted.


Two stores located just a few miles apart were both hit within the same hour. Surveillance footage shows that five masked suspects were involved in both crimes.


The Sarasota and Manatee County Sheriff's Offices are both hoping to locate the thief.


Some people may recognize someone's stance or way of walking, or someone may proactively offer to sell them these products. Therefore, we hope that someone in the community will feel compelled to report," the judge said.


The crimes in these two counties occur during the night after the stores close. Authorities are hoping to apprehend the armed burglars before anyone gets hurt.



Disclaimer

This article is provided solely for professional research, industry discussion, and informational purposes. Any references to brands, companies, products, technologies, or policies are made for factual reporting and analytical purposes only, and do not constitute endorsement, recommendation, promotion, or advertising by 2Firsts.

Nicotine-containing products, including but not limited to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches, carry significant health risks. Readers are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions, including age restrictions and access limitations.

The information contained in this article should not be regarded as investment, legal, medical, regulatory, or commercial advice. While 2Firsts strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of its content, it does not assume liability for any direct or indirect loss arising from errors, omissions, inaccuracies, or reliance on the information contained herein.

This article is not intended for individuals below the legal age for accessing tobacco or nicotine-related information in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright Notice

This article is either original content produced by 2Firsts or content reproduced, translated, summarized, or adapted from third-party sources with attribution where applicable. The intellectual property rights of the original content remain with 2Firsts or the respective original rights holders.

No individual or organization may copy, reproduce, distribute, republish, modify, translate, or otherwise use this content without prior authorization. Any unauthorized use may result in legal action.

For copyright-related inquiries, corrections, or removal requests, please contact: info@2firsts.com.

 

AI-Assisted Translation and Editing Notice

Portions of this article may have been translated, edited, or reviewed with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools to improve efficiency and readability. Due to the limitations of AI-assisted translation and editing, discrepancies, omissions, or inaccuracies may exist when compared with the original source.

Where applicable, readers are advised to refer to the original source for the most complete and accurate information. If you identify any errors or believe that any content infringes upon your rights, please contact us at info@2firsts.com, and we will review and address the matter promptly.

Oral Thin-Film Technology Firm CTT Pharma Eyes U.S. Nicotine Product Trials
Oral Thin-Film Technology Firm CTT Pharma Eyes U.S. Nicotine Product Trials
CTT Pharmaceutical Holdings said it has signed a letter of intent with a U.S. company to conduct clinical trials and testing for several potential nicotine products using its patented oral thin-film technology.
Jun.18
Nasdaq-Listed Vape Company iSpire Technology Restructures Leadership as Tuanfang Liu Becomes Sole CEO, BTIG Initiates Coverage on ODM Growth Opportunity
Nasdaq-Listed Vape Company iSpire Technology Restructures Leadership as Tuanfang Liu Becomes Sole CEO, BTIG Initiates Coverage on ODM Growth Opportunity
Nasdaq-listed vape company iSpire Technology has restructured its leadership team, with Tuanfang Liu becoming the company’s sole chief executive officer (CEO) and Michael Wang appointed CEO of Aspire North America. The move ends iSpire’s previous co-CEO structure and creates clearer responsibilities between group strategy and regional execution. Separately, BTIG initiated coverage on iSpire Technology with a Buy rating and a $3.50 price target, identifying ODM growth opportunities as a key investment factor.
Jul.27
FDA 2025 NYTS: Youth E-Cigarette Use Declines but Unauthorized Disposables Remain Prominent; Nicotine Pouch Use Stays Low
FDA 2025 NYTS: Youth E-Cigarette Use Declines but Unauthorized Disposables Remain Prominent; Nicotine Pouch Use Stays Low
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released its 2025 National Youth Tobacco Survey analysis, saying about 2.01 million U.S. middle and high school students currently used any tobacco product; among current youth e-cigarette users, unauthorized disposable brands including Geek Bar, Elf Bar, Lost Mary and Raz had high reported shares, potentially making them a focus for future enforcement.
Jun.24
IQOS Global Flagship Space to Open in Tokyo Ginza as PMI Expands Consumer Experience Strategy
IQOS Global Flagship Space to Open in Tokyo Ginza as PMI Expands Consumer Experience Strategy
Philip Morris Japan (PMJ) announced that it will open “IQOS Flagship Ginza” in Tokyo on September 4, 2026. The location will become the first global flagship space for PMI’s IQOS brand. PMJ said the venue will target adult smokers aged 20 and above and combine product experiences, community engagement and local cultural elements. The design will incorporate Japanese natural aesthetics and traditional craftsmanship. The launch reflects PMI’s broader strategy of strengthening consumer engagement through experiential retail and brand spaces. The existing IQOS Store Ginza is scheduled to close on August 30, 2026.
Jul.21
Australia’s Daily Smoking Rate Falls to Record Low of 5.8% as Nicotine Use Patterns Shift
Australia’s Daily Smoking Rate Falls to Record Low of 5.8% as Nicotine Use Patterns Shift
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare’s National Drug Strategy Household Survey, daily smoking among Australians aged 18 and over fell to a record low of 5.8% in 2025. Health Minister Mark Butler said Australia now has around 500,000 fewer daily smokers than three years ago and credited the government’s vaping reforms as part of broader progress. Among people aged 14 and over, daily smoking declined from 8.3% in 2022-23 to 5.6% in 2025. Daily vaping rates stabilised at 3.6%, while the government also moved to further restrict access to nicotine pouches through unapproved therapeutic import pathways.
Jul.21
KT&G’s Lil Strengthens Market Lead in Korea as Heated Tobacco Share Reaches 47.4%
KT&G’s Lil Strengthens Market Lead in Korea as Heated Tobacco Share Reaches 47.4%
According to South Korea’s UpKorea, KT&G’s heated tobacco brand Lil reached a 47.4% share of Korea’s heated tobacco stick market in the first quarter of 2026. The company is expanding its next-generation products (NGP) business through product development, technology investment and overseas growth. KT&G reported NGP sales of 890.1 billion won (approximately US$650 million) in 2025, up significantly from 279.3 billion won in 2020. Lil products are now available in 34 markets, while KT&G continues building its technology portfolio through patents and multiple product platforms.
Jul.23