Teens robbed, beaten in Manatee after refusing to buy drugs, cops say

Two teenagers were robbed and beaten Sunday evening while walking to a store, according to a Manatee County Sheriff’s Office news release.

The teenagers — ages 15 and 19 — were walking in the 6000 block of 12th Steet West at about 8:20 p.m. when they were approached by a man who attempted to sell them drugs, the release said.

When the teens declined, the man struck the 19-year-old in the face. The other teen tried to defend his friend when several other suspects joined in the fray and began beating the two victims, the release said.

The suspects took cash and other property from the victims and fled the scene. The victims were taken to a hospital for treatment of injuries that were not life-threatening.

This story was originally published July 4, 2017 at 10:33 AM with the headline "Teens robbed, beaten in Manatee after refusing to buy drugs, cops say."