Sarasota Sheriff's Office seeking assistance in identifying robbery suspects

SARASOTA -- The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office is asking the public for assistance identifying the vehicle involved in a strong-arm robbery Monday morning.

According to the sheriff's office, the 17-year-old victim was walking on South Lockwood Ridge Road at 8 a.m. when two assailants approached and said, "Give me what you got."

"The suspects punched the victim, who fought back, but they ultimately stole his backpack," a release state. "A witness stopped to help and the suspects ran off."

According to a release, a second witness said the suspects got into a sport utility vehicle on Clark Road. Surveillance video shows it was a gray Chevrolet Tracker.

The victim, who had minor injuries, did not know the suspects but believes they are about 18 years old, deputies said. One is described as a male and the other a 6-foot male who was wearing a gray sweatshirt and dark gray shorts at the time.

Anyone with information on this case can call Criminal Investigations at 941-861-4900 or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers by calling 941-366-TIPS (8477), or online at www.sarasotacrimestoppers.com.

This story was originally published October 13, 2015 at 3:25 PM with the headline "Sarasota Sheriff's Office seeking assistance in identifying robbery suspects ."