Foiled

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The ATF says it stopped six men before they could commit armed robbery.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) may have stopped what would have been an armed robbery Thursday afternoon.

The ATF recently heard that a group of men, possibly gang members, were planning on hitting an armed stash house -- a place where illegal drugs are kept -- on Thursday. Expecting to run into armed traffickers inside protecting their stash, the gang members were coming armed.

Unknown to the suspects, an ATF agent had infiltrated the group. On Thursday, the ATF tracked the gang to an area parking lot, and then to a warehouse.

As the suspects went over the final plans for the drug house robbery and possible murder, ATF agents moved in and nabbed six suspects. Three are teenagers.

Agents suspect the six suspects may be affiliated with the Latin Kings, the largest gang in the Tampa area. The men are suspected of committing numerous home invasions, including the homes of citizens who they thought may be wealthy.

"These home invaders not only rob other bad guys," said ATF assistant special agent in charge John Ryan. "They also rob law abiding citizens."

The three adults are being held at the Orient Road Jail. There's no word on where the juveniles were taken.

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