Sarasota News Leader

05/23/2014

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Two Sarasota County Sheriff's Office depu- ties are recovering from minor injuries after being attacked by a man who says his sole intent was to force law enforcement officers to shoot him, the office has announced. On May 20, Deputies Simon Franks and Anthony Allport responded to a call about a shoplifter at the Bealls located at 4251 S. Tamiami Trail in Venice. After concluding their investigation, the deputies attempted to arrest the suspect, a news release says. "He resisted, struck both deputies and tried to take their guns during the struggle," it adds. He was unsuccessful, and the "deputies deployed their Tasers to gain compliance and take him into custody," it continues. Joshua B. Roberts, 24, of 2022 10th St., Sarasota, is charged with Resisting Arrest with Violence; two counts of Attempted Unlawful Taking, Possession or use of Law Enforcement Officer's Firearm; and Petit Theft. Roberts was first taken to Venice Regional Bayfront Health and later booked into the Sarasota County Jail, the release says. He was placed under bond of $6,120. Roberts has only been in Florida for three months, the release notes, but he already had two prior arrests. The first incident was in March, when he was arrested for retail theft; the second case involved a criminal mischief incident in Venice on the night of May 16, the release adds. He was released on bond May 18 in the latter case. DEPUTIES ATTACKED BY MAN WHO SAYS HE WANTED TO BE SHOT Joshua Roberts/Contributed photo An image from video surveillance shows the suspect confronting the deputies in Bealls on May 20. Image courtesy of the Sheriff's Office Sarasota News Leader May 23, 2014 Page 91

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