Bradenton men were arguing over a bicycle. Then one grabbed a machete, cops say

A 29-year-old Bradenton man is facing multiple felony charges after he attacked another man with a machete during an argument about a bicycle, according to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.

The victim suffered a wound that was about 5 inches long and 2 inches deep just below his chest, deputies say.

According to the arrest report, the victim spotted Frankel Valentin on Jan .18 at a homeless camp in the 1500 block of 53rd Avenue West going through his belongings.

Deputies say the victim confronted Valentin, who claimed a bicycle belonging to the victim was his and said he was going to take it.

While the two argued, a woman handed Valentin a machete and Valentin then swung it at the victim, striking him just below the chest, the report states.

The victim was taken to the hospital where he was eventually able to provide law enforcement with a video of the encounter taken with his cell phone, according to the sheriff’s office.

Valentin was spotted by a deputy on Jan. 23 riding the bicycle described in the theft in the 5300 block of 14th Street West. The deputy attempted to detain Valentin, who ran away from the scene and into the nearby Aloha Estates mobile home park.

A K9 unit responded after the initial deputy lost sight of Valentin, according to the report.

Deputies say Valentin is known to frequent one of the mobile homes and the dog tracked him to it, but Valentin was not immediately seen. The bicycle, however, was found on the property.

Contact was made at the mobile home and a woman admitted Valentin was inside, the report states. Valentin surrendered to deputies, but not after several attempts were made for him to come out peacefully.

Valentin was booked into the Manatee County jail on charges of armed robbery, battery with great bodily harm and resisting arrest. He is being held without bond.