LAKELAND, FL \u2014 A Lakeland couple pleaded guilty to a string of armed robberies that took place in August and violated the Hobbs Act, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. <\/p>\n
Andres Correa, 39, pleaded guilty to four Hobbs Act robberies, four counts of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, possessing a firearm as a convicted felon and conspiring to commit the robberies. <\/p>\n
Cassandra Kerr, 46, pleaded guilty to two counts of Hobbs Act robbery, three counts of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence and conspiring to commit the robberies.<\/p>\n
Their sentencing dates haven\u2019t been set. Each faces up to life in federal prison. <\/p>\n
Correa and Kerr robbed a food truck on Sheldon Road in Tampa on July 28, the U.S. DOJ said. <\/p>\n
During the robbery, Correa went into the truck brandishing a gun while demanding money from two victims. Kerr acted as a lookout during the robbery.<\/p>\n
The couple robbed a gas station in Tampa on Aug. 5, during which Correa brandished a pistol and demanded money. He pointed the gun into one of the victims\u2019 stomachs until they gave him money, the DOJ said. <\/p>\n
Kerr also acted as a lookout for Correa during this robbery, waiting outside the store in her vehicle. <\/p>\n
Two days later, Correa and Kerr robbed a food mart in Tampa. He went into the store and pulled out a gun from his chest area while demanding money. <\/p>\n
Correa held one of the store clerks at gunpoint until he was given cash from the register, the DOJ said. <\/p>\n
Kerr again acted as a lookout during the robbery. <\/p>\n
On Aug. 19, Correa robbed a smoke shop in Seffner. <\/p>\n
After pulling out a gun, Correa grabbed a customer and moved him back towards the counter, pointing a gun at the back of his head while demanding cash, the DOJ said. The clerk complied and handed Correa the cash from the register. <\/p>\n
FBI and \u200b\u200bBureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) agents, along with Hillsborough County Sheriff\u2019s Office detectives, executed search warrants at two homes on Aug. 26. <\/p>\n
Inside one of the homes, they found clothing and a gun consistent with what was worn and used in the robberies, a stomach holster, and a ledger with a list of banks and smoke shops and directions to the businesses, the DOJ said. <\/p>\n
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