Cops: Home invasion suspect says ‘Fat Pat’ wanted to get paid

Fat Pat’s roommate owed him rent money, so two of his acquaintances helped him by robbing the man. But a 26-year-old man who claimed he was just along for a ride was arrested.

Vincent Caroniti told the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office on June 22 that he was getting a ride from a friend who drove a white Chevrolet Impala. But before he could be dropped off, the friend said that they needed to stop by the home of “Fat Pat,” whose roommate owed Pat rent money. “Fat Pat” would leave the door unlocked so they could get inside, according to Caroniti’s interview with a detective.

The victim, a 30-year-old man, was sleeping at the home in the 600 block of 50th Street West when Caroniti and the friend walked into the house around 12:04 p.m., according to the probable cause affidavit. They kicked down the man’s bedroom door and at least one had a gun drawn, the victim told a detective.

“Give us the stuff,” they demanded.

According to the affidavit, they bound the man with pink duct tape and stole his medication, his girlfriend’s phone and other items. But Caroniti addressed the other man as “Chris” in front of the victim, “to which the other suspects (sic) then appeared upset at the statement,” the detective wrote in the affidavit.

The men then left the house and walked back to the Impala, but the victim broke free and ran after them, tackling Caroniti to the ground. A neighbor doing yard work called 911. The other man fled on foot.

“Fat Pat” told detectives that the victim had owed him $250, but that he had not spoken to the driver. The Bradenton Herald is not naming either man because neither has been charged with a crime.

Caroniti faces one charge of home invasion-robbery and is being held at the Manatee County jail on a $1 million bond, according to the sheriff’s office website.

This story was originally published June 26, 2017 at 9:26 AM with the headline "Cops: Home invasion suspect says ‘Fat Pat’ wanted to get paid."