Bradenton man charged with choking pregnant girlfriend

Man charged with choking woman

MANATEE -- A 20-year-old man has been charged with strangling his pregnant girlfriend Sunday night after she discovered he had impregnated another woman, according to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.

Raymy Escoto of Bradenton had been dating the victim for a year and a half and she moved in with him in January, according to an arrest report. She is 4 months pregnant with his child and Escoto knew this.

The victim returned home from work between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Sunday and discovered A pregnant woman in the home she did not know, deputies said. The victim and Escoto started arguing about the woman.

Escoto became angry, grabbed the victim by the throat and pushed her against the wall, according to the report. He squeezed her throat and the victim told deputies she had blurred vision and began to black out. Escoto told her, "he would kill her and did not care what happened to his unborn child," according to the report.

Escoto then let go and left. The victim told deputies she immediately started looking for somewhere else to stay and did not call law enforcement because she was in fear of injury to herself and her unborn child due to the family's violent history.

She later told deputies she feared retaliation from Escoto and his family members. She did not require medical treatment.

Escoto was charged with domestic battery on a pregnant woman and resisting an officer without violence. He was released from the jail Tuesday on bonds totaling $3,120.

Masked gunman leaves 7-Eleven as clerk hides

MANATEE -- An armed man tried to rob a 7-Eleven at 5:44 a.m. Tuesday, but left when he didn't see anyone there, according to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.

The man walked into the 7-Eleven, 3515 53rd Ave. W., according to the release. A 56-year-old store clerk saw him enter the store, look around and leave when he didn't see anyone there.

Deputies arrived shortly afterward. No one was injured and the gunman was gone.

He was described as about 6-foot, wearing blue hoodie and blue jeans.

-- Herald staff reports

This story was originally published February 25, 2016 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Bradenton man charged with choking pregnant girlfriend ."