MANATEE — Deputies arrested a 28-year-old man after he allegedly held three people at knifepoint inside a house Tuesday, according to Manatee County Sheriff’s Office officials.
Steve Rotolo was arrested at a Hess gas station at the corner of Florida Boulevard and U.S. 41, a couple of hours after authorities were contacted and told he was inside a home holding his girlfriend inside.
Rotolo came to see his 27-year-old girlfriend Tuesday morning at her father’s residence in the 900 block of 65th Avenue West. The couple had a verbal argument that escalated into a fight.
The woman’s father became involved around noon and Rotolo allegedly beat him up, according to authorities.
Rotolo did not allow his girlfriend, her father and another woman to leave the residence, said Public Information Officer Dave Bristow.
When Rotolo went into the bathroom, the father and woman were able to leave the house to call for help.
Deputies tried calling Rotolo and his girlfriend and knocked on the door, but no one answered. The SWAT team was called and an operations center was set up in the parking lot of Sara Bay Baptist Church, 415 67th Ave. W., several blocks away.
Neighbors were evacuated from their homes and had to wait a block away for a couple of hours.
When deputies entered the residence, they found no one inside. The girlfriend then returned to the residence and told authorities Rotolo was at the gas station.
Rotolo was previously arrested for domestic battery twice in 2003 and once in 2000. All charges were dropped.
He served nearly a year in the Manatee County jail after he was found guilty for a 2002 incident that included charges of aggravated battery, carrying a concealed weapon and petty theft, according to court documents.
He now faces charges of false imprisonment and additional charges are pending.
Deputies investigate shooting incidents
MANATEE — Deputies investigated two shootings involving teens Tuesday night with injuries, according to Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.
A 17-year-old man was standing in the 5900 block of Sixth Street East when he heard gunshots. The teen told investigators he was playing soccer outside when he heard a single gunshot just after 7 p.m.
As he and his friends began to run for cover, he realized he was shot, according to a released statement.
The teen was taken to Manatee Memorial Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries after a bullet struck him on the left side of his torso and exited three inches away, causing a flesh wound.
Authorities searched the area and found no assailants, said Lt. Kathryn Estabrook. The victim was unable to give a detailed suspect description, she said.
In another incident, an 18-year-old man was cleaning a gun when he accidentally fired the weapon and struck his hand at 10:16 p.m., said Lt. Christine Thomason. The teen was taken to the hospital from the site of the shooting in the 1600 block of 55th Avenue Circle East.
Missing woman returns home safely
MANATEE — A woman who had been missing since Monday, drawing the concern of law enforcement, returned home safely, according to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.
Nayeli Torrez, 22, returned to her home Tuesday afternoon after her sister reported her missing at around 6 p.m. Monday, according to sheriff’s spokesman Dave Bristow.
Bristow said detectives were extremely concerned for her well-being because she has two kids and had never before left without telling family members where she had gone. Bristow did not release the circumstances of her return.
Man charged with molesting boy
MANATEE — Deputies arrested a Bradenton man, saying he molested a 7-year-old boy, according to a sheriff’s office report.
Pedro Flores-Marquez, 27, of the 500 block of 60th Avenue Drive East, was arrested after the victim said he was pulled into the man’s house and inappropriately touched.
Flores-Marquez told detectives he never touched the boy but admitted that he was inside his home.
The sheriff’s office is asking that anyone who has information on Flores-Marquez to call Detective Brett Getman at (941) 747-3011, ext.1906.
— Beth Burger and Robert Napper
Email Story
Printer Friendly 
Quick Job Search
@Nyx.replyAnswerText@