Injured 61-year-old man found restrained inside St. Petersburg home, police say

Early Friday morning, police in St. Pete were called to a small-mother-in-law suite on 21st Ave. North to what they thought was someone blaring a stereo. However, when they showed up, no one answered.  

“They looked through the window and the saw there was a man who was restrained and obviously in distress inside the apartment,” said police spokeswoman Yolanda Fernandez. 

That man, identified by his landlord as 61-year-old Stephen Dixon, was taken to the hospital in critical condition. 

“Our detectives believe this was a home invasion and that someone physically restrained him and forced him into that situation,” said Fernandez. 

“I don’t feel good about it, it’s not the safest thing to hear,” offered Jesse Frenck.

Frenck lives in the main house on the property.  He says he never heard a thing. 

“He seems like a nice guy, doesn't bother nobody,” he said of the victim. “I’ve never had any break-ins, no one’s ever messed with my car, nobody's around here. It had to have been something specific.”

Police are still trying to piece it all together.

"It is still very much a concern. We want to do everything we can to catch these guys, figure out who did it, and get justice for the victim,” Fernandez added. 

Anyone with information is asked to call the St. Petersburg Police Department at 727-893-7780.