North Port PD: Would-be robber shot by victim's boyfriend

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A would-be robber's attempt at stealing from a female victim was thwarted after her boyfriend shot him multiple times, North Port investigators said.

The victim was at the Suncoast Credit Union's ATM, located at 4451 Aidan Lane, around 10:30 p.m. Thursday. Investigators said she retrieved her cash and was heading back to her vehicle, where her boyfriend was sitting and waiting for her return.

At this point, investigators said the suspect, who had a loaded handgun, approached the female victim. Her boyfriend witnessed the situation unfolding, exited the car and shot the suspect multiple times, police said.

The suspect, assisted by a nearby "getaway driver," fled from bank, police added. 

A 911 caller reported hearing multiple gunshots in the area. Shortly after, officers said they found the wounded suspect at a Goodwill shopping center at 14879 Tamiami Trail, about a half-mile away from the shooting location. The suspect was airlifted to the Sarasota Memorial Hospital.

Officials said the suspect, who has not been identified, lost a lot of blood but is expected to survive his injuries. He will likely face charges.

The victim's boyfriend came to the North Port Police Department and reported the shooting, investigators said.

“From everything that we know so far, the bad guy, who went there to do some bad things ended up getting himself shot," said Josh Taylor, the police department's spokesperson. “There are people in this world that are out to do no good. It appears in this case, from everything that we have so far, the person who went out there to do that... is the one who ended up on the short end of the stick.”

It's also unclear if the getaway driver has been located. Taylor said detectives don't foresee charges against the shooter, based on preliminary information.

Anyone with additional details can call the North Port Police Department at 941-429-7300.

The full interview with the North Port police spokesman can be viewed below: