Man Found Guilty of Robbing, Kidnapping Agents
A St. Petersburg, Fla., man has been found guilty of robbing two real estate agents at gunpoint.
Paul Pinkston, 59, will be sentenced next month for two counts of armed robbery and one count of kidnapping. He faces up to 20 years in prison. The former U.S. Air Force major has no criminal history.
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In one incident on June 3, 2015, prosecutors said that Pinkston posed as a buyer and met a real estate professional at a home in St. Petersburg. Once there, he pulled a gun on a real estate professional from Hofacker & Associates and then handcuffed her with zip ties. He tried to receive a $50,000 ransom that he demanded from the agent’s husband. But the plans were botched so instead he fled with her phone and keys.
In another incident, also on June 3, Pinkston pulled a gun and stole a real estate professional’s phone and keys.
Pinkston was arrested June 8 after an informant identified him from photos released by police.
Source: “Guilty Verdict in Robbery, Kidnapping of St. Petersburg Real Estate Agents,” Tampa Bay Times (May 13, 2016) and “Ex-Air Force Officer Convicted of Robbing Real Estate Agents,” Associated Press (May 13, 2016)
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