Bystander Intervenes in Robbery, Subdues Supect

A bystander helped apprehend a man who is accused, along with three others, of robbing a man early Saturday morning.

According to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to a call at Mike's Mini Mart at 1400 57^th Ave E. in Bradenton at around 2 a.m.

Upon arrival, officers found a man holding another man down in the mini mart parking lot.

The man told the officers he witnessed four men beating another man in the parking lot and he tried to intervene.

As he went to pull the men off the victim, all four attackers fled the scene, according to the report.

Police say when the victim, identified as 34-year-old Dario Lopez, told the bystander the men had robbed him, the witness ran after the suspects, tackled one of them, and held him down until officers arrived.

Officers identified the man caught as 44-year-old George J. Alvarez. He was arrested and charged with strongarm robbery and transported to a local hospital, where he was treated for a swollen right cheek he sustained during the scuffle with the witness.

Lopez, who told police the men took $1,500 from his wallet, was also treated for injuries as a result of the attack, including a broken nose and back and shoulder pain.

Police reported the money was not recovered.

Stay with Bradenton Patch for updates on this story as they become available.

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