Church caretaker beats homeless man with a baseball bat, Bradenton police say

A 42-year-old Bradenton man who claims he had a “verbal agreement” with a local church to keep the homeless off of its property took things too far, according to the Bradenton Police Department.

Police say Robert Holbrook saw three homeless people sleeping on the grounds of First Christian Church, 1815 18th Ave. W., on the night of Sept. 17 and approached them, “in an aggressive manner.”

An argument started and police say threats were made by both sides, but the homeless people left the area without further incident.

Neither pastor at First Christian immediately responded to a call on Tuesday to confirm what, if any, agreement the church had with Holbrook.

According to the arrest report, Holbrook caught up with the three a short time later in the 1700 block of 18th Avenue West, got out his vehicle with a baseball bat and attacked the victim, initially striking him in the head with the bat.

The victim fell to the ground where Holbrook continued to beat him with the bat, police say.

According to the report, the victim was taken to a hospital with multiple injuries, including a broken arm.

Holbrook agreed to speak with police, telling investigators that he did have a bat, but swung and missed the victim, at which time the two “tussled.”

Holbrook said he “snapped” after the victim threatened his children while the two were arguing at the church. According to the report, that’s when he retrieved the baseball bat, got in his car and caught up to the victim.

Holbrook was booked into the Manatee County jail and charged with person using a deadly weapon. He posted a $7,500 bond and was released the following day pending a future court date.