Gang beats, robs man in Manatee

MANATEE - A group of about a half-dozen men beat and robbed a man a 33-year-old man late Sunday, according to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.

The victim and his friends were at a residence in the 600 block of 61st Avenue East, Bradenton, when they were approached by the group, which included a man carrying a baseball bat and another carrying a crow-bar, according to a news release.

Several of the victim's friends ran inside a nearby house, but the victim and another man stayed outside. As the second man was trying to find something with which to defend himself, he turned and saw the attackers punching and kicking his friend.

Occupants of the house ran outside to help, causing the attackers to flee with the victim's wallet. Some were on foot, but others ran to to a waiting green Ford Explorer, the sheriff's office said.

The victim suffered head trauma and was unable to answer questions. He was flown to Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg with non-life-threatening injuries.