Tampa Bay Criminal Defense Lawyer - St. Petersburg man beaten and robbed

By Nick Dorsten, Esq.

From the St. Petersburg times website, a man is robbed by a familiar face...

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — The man who was robbed, beaten and forced to drive his assailant to an ATM early Tuesday morning had no trouble recognizing the robber, according to St. Petersburg police.

The man said he knew the suspect well because they both did odd jobs in the same neighborhood, police said.

The criminal defendant, 27, was arrested Tuesday on charges of kidnapping, strong arm robbery and tampering with a witness.

According to police, the man said the suspect approached him about 1:18 a.m. near the 4100 block of Alberca Way S and asked for money. The man said he didn't have any money and, feeling intimidated, said he tried to call 911. But the suspect took his cell phone and beat him about the head, police said.

The suspect then forced him to drive to an ATM, the man told police, and forced him to withdraw $300. The incident was captured on a Wachovia Bank surveillance camera at 3095 54th Ave. S, police said.

At some point the man escaped, police said. He later was hospitalized for his injuries. The suspect was arrested at 4:20 p.m. Tuesday. He was being held Wednesday in the Pinellas County jail in lieu of $65,000 bail.

Have you or a loved one been arrested for a kidnapping or robbery charge? Then contact the St. Petersburg criminal defense attorneys of Blake & Dorsten, P.A. for a free consultation!

For more information, or to speak directly with experienced St. Petersburg criminal defense lawyers please contact BLAKE & DORSTEN, P.A. at 727.286.6141 or email the lawyers your questions at: info@blakedorstenlaw.com. We are located at 4707 140th Ave N, Suite 104 in Clearwater, across from the criminal courthouse in the airport business center, minutes from Tampa and St. Petersburg.