Sarasota Police make four arrests in October downtown assault

An 18-year-old man and three juveniles have been arrested in connection with an assault of a 67-year-old man in downtown Sarasota last month, police say.

In a statement released Nov. 8, Sarasota Police say they arrested Adrian Zambrana, 18, of Sarasota on Oct. 31 and charged him with aggravated battery of a person 65 years of age or older, and giving a false name by person arrested or detained.

Three other teenage boys from Sarasota, ages 15, 16 and 17, have also been arrested and charged with aggravated battery of a person 65 years of age or older.

Police say the incident happened Oct. 13, shortly after 2 a.m. in the 200 block of South Orange Avenue. 

The victim reported being attacked by four young white males, who allegedly struck him with their fists and a tree branch. One of the suspects also reportedly threw a rock at the victim, causing visible head injuries.

The victim told police the suspects fled after the attack in a white or gray SUV.

Officers immediately located a vehicle matching the description. During a traffic stop, officers identified the juveniles and Zambrana, who gave a false name to officers.

At the time of the stop, there was insufficient evidence to make an arrest.

Detectives say surveillance footage from Oct. 13 showed four individuals, one appearing to carry a large tree branch, approaching the location on South Orange Avenue and subsequently attacking the victim. 

The individuals in the surveillance footage were identified as the same four individuals from the early morning traffic stop.

The investigation is continuing. The Sarasota Police Department urges anyone with additional information to call the non-emergency line at 941-316-1199 or report anonymously to CrimeStoppers at 941-366-TIPS or online at SarasotaCrimeStoppers.com.