Bradenton hotel guest pistol-whipped, robbed

BRADENTON -- A hotel guest who left his door cracked open was pisto-whipped and robbed by two armed men and a woman late Saturday, according to a Manatee County Sheriff's Office report.

The victim, a 33-year-old man, was staying at the Knights Inn at 2303 First St. The victim told investigators that he was lying in bed, smoking a cigarette, with the door partially open.

A female suspect came to the door and asked for a cigarette, and as the victim retrieved one, the two male suspects rushed in, the report said. One male suspect began beating the victim on the head with his gun, while the other grabbed some of the victim's belongings, the report said.

Witnesses told investigators the trio ran down the stairs to a white car in the hotel parking lot and fled northbound on First Street North.

The victim suffered a small cut on his head.

The suspects remained on the loose Sunday morning, and the investigation continues.

This story was originally published March 6, 2016 at 11:11 PM with the headline "Bradenton hotel guest pistol-whipped, robbed ."