BankAtlantic robbed

ST. PETERSBURG -- Open seven days a week and most holidays, BankAtlantic calls itself "Florida’s most convenient bank.’’

Apparently that’s true for robbers, too.

A thief or thieves got away with an undisclosed amount of cash from the branch at the 3801 49th Street N Sunday.

The St. Petersburg Police Department is not releasing any other details at this time.

Fire destroys Oldsmar house

An early-morning blaze destroyed a house in East Lake Woodlands that broke out while the owner was away.

At 4:11 a.m., a neighbor called 911 to report that the two-story house at 10 Camelila Court was burning. Another neighbor also smelled smoke but assumed it was from a fireplace because, according to East Lake Fire Rescue.

There was significant damage to the second floor and the roof burned off. The resident was not home at the time. A firefighter was hurt after part of the roof collapsed on him as he tried to make his way up a staircase.

-- Eileen Schulte, Times staff writer

Two dead, one injured in overnight crash

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY -- Two people are dead and a third critically injured from a one-car crash just after midnight on State Road 60, just east of Mud Lake Road.

Officials with the Florida Highway Patrol say the female driver of a 2000 Acura Sedan was travelling at a high rate of speed when she lost control, veered into the center median, over-corrected, spun out and hit a utility pole.

The backseat passenger, 20-year-old Andrew Santilli of Valrico, was ejected, and survived, with critical injuries.

The front passenger, 20-year-old Christopher Richards of Brandon, and the driver, were inside the car when it became engulfed in flames. They both died. The driver has not yet been identified due to her burn injuries, officials say.

Santilli remains at Tampa General Hospital.

None of the crash victims were wearing seatbelts.

-- Alexandra Zayas, Times Staff Writer

Seffner fire engulfs home

Seffner -- Hillsborough county firefighters spent an hour this morning fighting a fire that consumed the 4,000 square-foot house at 959 Kingsway Road.

No people were killed, but according to the Red Cross of Tampa Bay, three dogs died in the fire. The five-bedroom rental house was home to 12 people.

Its residents were outside when firefighters arrived this morning, just before 6:30 a.m., Hillsborough fire officials said. They suffered no serious injuries. Due to the size of the house and the advanced stages of the fire, 12 crews and 30 firefighters responded to the scene.

Fire officials have not yet determined the cause of the fire.

-- Alexandra Zayas, Times Staff Writer

17 arrested in Nebraska Ave sting

TAMPA -- Police took on the city's most notorious prostitution drag this weekend, in a two-day sting that nabbed 17 men on charges including soliciting to commit prostitution, drug possession and possession of stolen firearms.

Tampa Police Department's street anti-crime squad targeted the area of N Nebraska Avenue and E Emily Street in Southeast Seminole Heights on Friday and Saturday nights. Lt. Diane Hobkey-Burney said police conduct these types of stings in response to complaints from neighbors.

"They're doing an awesome job," said neighborhood association president Sherry Genovar-Simons. "They have really been paying consistent attention to the area. It's helped the problem enormously."

Residents of Southeast Seminole Heights have battled crime in the area for years, with "hooker patrols" that  take to the streets at night with flashlights, shooing prostitutes away. Illegal activity all but disappeared, until about three months ago, when neighbors started seeing more street walkers.

Residents of Old Seminole Heights, which straddles Nebraska Avene to the north, met with police this fall about the situation.

Genovar-Simons is pleased with the response: "TPD was really quick to listen to us."

Police said the following men were charged with soliciting to commit prostitution:

Joseph Phillips, 46, Tampa; Louis E. Texidor, 34, Tampa; Michael Jimerson, 18, Tampa; Donald V. Jones, 47, Tampa; Eduardo Garcia, 41, Orlando; Kesnel Joseph, 31, Tampa; Jerry A. Booker, 43, Tampa; Gregorio Velasco, 39, Tampa; Kenneth Yana, 42, Spring Hill; Cano Bernadin, 29, Temple Terrace; Bigenson Lubin, 23, Tampa; Samuel Hines, 73, Washington; Robert Torrence, 44, Tampa; Daniel J. Klein, 34, Tampa; Ervin D. Sharpe, 39, St. Petersburg; Peter Sanchez, 50, Tampa; and Shaun A. Sanders, 29, Tampa.

-- Alexandra Zayas, Times Staff Writer

Temps in the 60s today, colder Monday

Tampa Bay area residents can expect temperatures in the mid 60s today and in the low 50s by tonight. Bay News 9 forecasters predict it'll get even colder on Monday with highs in the 60s and lows (brrr) in the low 40s -- or even in the 30s in more northerly counties. The temperatures will be well below normal for the next couple of days, says Bay News 9's Juli Marquez.