Tampa Couple Stalked, Robbed and Shot After Winning Jackpot at Casino
Hillborogh County, Fla -- Aug 14, 2024 -- By: Barry Pinto
Deputies from Hillsborough County arrested two men for following the couple home from the casino after winning a jackpot, then ambushing them in their driveway, robbing and shooting both of them.
The entire ordeal was capture on a doorbell security camera, reports say.
Kim Chambliss and her boyfriend, Val Delacruz, had just arrived home from a date night when two masked men surrounded their car and demanded money.
"We Are Just Average People"
The night had started as their monthly date night.
"We don't get to do it often just because we both work extremely hard."
"We're just average people, you know, who are out having a good time, you know, who love each other and enjoying each other's company. And to know that we didn't even realize that people were following us every step of the way. It's scary. It's scary," said Chambliss.
"How many people do they do that to?" said Delacruz.
"We don't get to do it often just because we both work extremely hard."
Victims Won $3,000
Investigators say the couple won $3,000 at the casino before celebrating. "I hit and I got a jackpot. And, you know, I was dancing," said Delacruz.
The couple was then followed home, stalked, before being robbed at gun point. Delacruz was confronted and then shot in the thigh.
"The deputies saved my life". Delacruz had an exit wound which was bleeding profusely from the gunshot wound. The deputies quickly arrived to apply a tourniquet to the victim.
"I lost so much blood, if they didn’t do that, I wouldn’t have made it," said Delacruz.
Investigators said Tristan Wright was the getaway driver. He also faces a list of charges, including principal to attempted murder.
Suspects Makes Getaway
The suspects took off with Val’s watch and jewelry, along with Kim’s purse, but the couple says they stole much more than that.
"We've always felt safe in our home. Safe in the neighborhood. To have that taken away -- to have just such an insecure feeling," said Kim Chambliss.
Jenkins faces a multitude of charges, including attempted first-degree murder and armed robbery with a firearm. He faces life in prison.
Investigators are still working to identify a third suspect and bring him to justice.
In Unbearable Pain
Val Delacruz (victim) owns his own company and, as you can imagine, it’s difficult to work. They also have mounting medical bills.
Val is now in unbearable pain, unable to walk. Doctors say it could be six months.
He missed out on taking his son to his first day of school.
"I couldn’t even walk him to his second-grade class," said Delacruz.
