By KEITH MORELLI
The Tampa Tribune

TAMPA - Two men were arrested at their Lutz homes Monday afternoon, accused of taking part in a ruthless robbery and carjacking spree that victimized the community around Bearss Avenue and Bruce B. Downs Boulevard over the past two weeks.

The last victim of the crime spree, a 36-year-old woman who is seven months pregnant, breathed easier after hearing the news of Monday’s arrests, but she still is without her car, she said.

“I think relief will be everybody’s word of the day around here,” she said Monday afternoon.

She was robbed of $25 in cash and forced to hand over the keys to her Honda Accord last week by two armed men outside her home.

Hillsborough County sheriff’s deputies have arrested three men in connection with the rash of intimidating robberies that have terrorized the area just northwest of the University of South Florida.

Deputies on Monday arrested Thomas B. Barham, 52, at his 1913 Sinclair Hills Road home in Lutz. He was charged with the April 20 robbery, carjacking and kidnapping on Cabin Court in which the victim was forced to accompany the robbers to draw money from an automatic teller machine.

Also arrested Monday at his home was Victor Olavarria, 32, 1903 148th Ave., Lutz. He was charged with the April 16 robbery and carjacking on North 42nd Street.

On Saturday, deputies arrested 32-year-old David Anthony Ferrer, and charged with the robbery on April 13 at the corner of 30th Street and East Bearss Avenue and the robberies and carjackings on April 16 on 42nd Street, April 19 on East Bearss Avenue and April 20 on Cabin Court.

Sheriff’s spokesman J.D. Callaway said the investigation was ongoing and more charges are expected.

The motivation for the crime spree was to get cash for drugs and alcohol for the trio, Callaway said. It doesn’t appear anybody else was involved.

Of the seven vehicles stolen in the spree, six had been recovered, Callaway said. The only one still missing belongs to the last victim.

Being without her car and being close to her delivery date has the pregnant woman nervous. She’s bumming rides with friends to work and to the grocery store and wherever else she needs to go

She’s hoping the arrests result in the return of her car and a little piece of mind.

“Honestly,” she said, “when I come home, I’m scared still. I’m scared to get out of the car, to walk to my home. People who visit me are on edge now.”

Reporter Keith Morelli can be reached at (813) 865-1504 or kmorelli@tampatrib.com.

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