Robbers beat up an old man, shoot him, steal his cellphone and gun

Bartow (WTFF) – A 69-year-old man was severely beaten, robbed, and shot in the leg while taking an early morning walk with his 88-year-old friend.

The 88-year-old woman was not harmed.

The two friends were taking their usual morning walk on South Floral Avenue, when a newer model white car pulled into the grass near the sidewalk they were walking on, across from the Polk County Public Schools building. Three men got out, one holding a silver semi-automatic handgun.

The robber pointed his gun at the two and demanded their property, said Bartow Police Detective Jason Griffith, per theledger.com.

“The woman told them she did not have anything on her, just her cane. They did not lay a hand on her, did not touch her,” said Griffith.

The man wasn’t spared though.

“They hit him in the face, causing bone fractures, and minor injury to his brain. And while the man was down, he was shot once in the leg.”

They took his cellphone and the handgun that he was carrying in the front pocket of his hoodie.

The suspects are described as three black men between the ages of 20 and 30 driving a recent model white car, possibly with four doors. Unfortunately, the only image we have to go by is very low quality.

Anyone with information about the crime or about the identity of the perpetrators is asked to call Griffith at 863-534-5043 or, to remain anonymous, to call Heartland Crime Stoppers at 800-266-8477.

Source: theledger.com