Sarasota police need help identifying suspects who beat store clerk

SARASOTA (FOX 13) - A clerk at the Exxon Mobile station off of Tamiami Trail and Dr. Martin Luther King in Sarasota is lucky considering what happened to him.

"It could have been a lot worse," said Genevieve Judge with the Sarasota Police Department.

The beating happened around 9 at night on November 12.

"The individuals walk into the store and attempt to make the purchase," said Judge.

Police said the four men were trying to buy cigars. The clerk asked for their identification, but when they didn't show them, they argued with the clerk and left.

"When they come back several minutes later they were trying to speak to the same clerk," Judge said.

You can spot the clerk speaking to one of the men just out of the view of the surveillance camera.

"It is unknown what was said between these two individuals but there was some talking. You can see that on the camera," she said.

What happens next is a shocker.

"All of a sudden, one of the suspects punches the clerk right square in the face before they actually jump and kick and punch him for several minutes," said Judge.

The beating continues for a few minutes. All four men participate, their faces visible to the surveillance camera. "It is a key piece of evidence and someone out there will be able to identify these four suspects," said Judge.

Police hope someone will know who these men are.

"They are facing some serious charges and we do fully anticipate we will be able to catch up with them arrest them and charge them," she said.

If you have any information on the case contact Detective Anthony DeFrancisco at 941-954-7049 or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers by calling 941-366-TIPS (8477) or online at www.sarasotacrimestoppers.com.