Seffner Man Arrested After Injuring Girlfriend At Strip Club

CLEARWATER, FL - A 32-year-old Seffner man was arrested early Monday morning after severely injuring his girlfriend at a strip club near Clearwater during an altercation with other club patrons, deputies said. The man was identified as Sonny Mendoza of 4018 Truman Drive in Seffner, who was charged with aggravated battery.

About 1:15 a.m., deputies were called to the OZ Gentleman's Club, 13577 U.S. 19 North, for a report of a disturbance occurring outside the business. When deputies arrived they located the victim 35-year-old Kara Thobe. Thobe was unresponsive suffering from head injuries. Paramedics from Largo Fire Rescue responded to the scene and transported Thobe to Bayfront Health St. Petersburg for life-threatening injuries.

Detectives said Mendoza and his girlfriend Thobe were outside the gentleman's club ordering food from the foodstand when two unidentified women exited the club. Witnesses told detectives Mendoza and Thobe exchanged words with the two unidentified women. Detectives say the two unidentified women went back into the club and returned with two unidentified men.

A verbal exchange continued between Mendoza, Thobe and the unidentified men and women. During the argument, a fight broke out. Surveillance video of the altercation showed Mendoza fighting with the unidentified men. During the melee, Mendoza threw Thobe to the ground where she struck her head. Mendoza was then seen repeatedly slamming Thobe's head into the cement until patrons at the club rushed in and restrained him.

The two unidentified men and women fled the scene before deputies arrived. Deputies arrested Mendoza and transported him to the Pinellas County Jail. Detectives interviewed Mendoza who claimed he mistakenly slammed Thobe into the ground multiple times thinking he was fighting with one of the unidentified men.

Detectives say Thobe's medical condition is critical. Detectives are requesting anyone who may have witnessed the incident or anyone with information on the case to contact Detective James Upton of the Robbery/Homicide Unit at (727) 582-6321.

Image via Shutterstock; mugshot via Pinellas County Sheriff