Good Samaritans Stop Assault on Mentally Disabled Woman, Sarasota Police Say

Sarasota Police are crediting three Good Samaritans with coming to the aid of a mentally disabled woman who was being beaten with a stick and robbed last month.

Officials say Cheryl Priester, Tonia Priester and Patricia Robinson witnessed the woman being beaten with a large stick by another woman around 5:30 p.m. Feb. 23 in the 2400 block of Pershing Avenue.

Tonia Priester called 911 for help, and all three women ran to the rescue of the victim, who was screaming for the suspect to stop, police spokesperson Officer Linda J. DeNiro said. "As a result, the suspect stopped assaulting the victim, dropped the stick, and fled," she said.

The suspect, identified by witnesses as Donyelle Sims, 36, stole the victim's cell phone and a bag of personal items, police said. There are active warrants out for her arrest on charges of aggravated battery, robbery with a deadly weapon and aggravated abuse of a disabled person as a result of the incident, and she also has a criminal history, according to officials.

The victim suffered minor injuries to her arms, neck, shoulder and face, police said.

"Chief DiPino and the Sarasota Police Department commend the three Good Samaritans for their assistance and cooperation with the police to stop a violent crime in progress, protect the victim, and help identify the suspect," DeNiro said.

Anyone with information about the incident or the location of Donyelle Sims is asked to call Sarasota Police at 941-954-7025.

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