MAN ARRESTED FOR ARMED ROBBERY AND BEATING

A PORT CHARLOTTE MAN WAS ARRESTED IN CONNECTION WITH ENTERING A HOME WITH A GUN.  DEPUTIES WERE CALLED TO A HOME IN THE 21000 BLOCK OF OLEAN BOULEVARD JUST BEFORE MIDNIGHT ON MARCH 13^TH AFTER TWO MEN WEARING MASKS AND GLOVES ENTERED THE HOME.  THE VICTIM TOLD DEPUTIES HE WAS LURED TO THE HOME AND ONE OF THE ATTACKERS HELD HIM UP AT GUNPOINT WHILE THE OTHER WITH AN ALUMINUM BAT TOOK A CELL PHONE, $102 CASH AND A PACK OF CIGARETTES.  THE VICTIM THEN WAS BEATEN WITH THE BAT.  DURING THE SCUFFLE, THE VICTIM WAS ABLE TO PULL THE MASK OFF OF ONE OF THE MEN WHO WAS IDENTIFIED AS 28 YEAR OLD JESSE NICOTRA, A LONGTIME FAMILY FRIEND.  THE VICTIM THEN GOT FREE AND RAN OUT THE FRONT DOOR YELLING FOR HELP.  THE ATTACKERS CHASED THE VICTIM DOWN AND HIT HIM IN THE BACK OF THE LEGS WITH THE BAT.  A NEIGHBOR CALLED 911 AND THE TWO MEN RAN BACK TO THE VICTIM’S SUV, SMASHING OUT A WINDOW BEFORE FLEEING.  THE VICTIM WAS TREATED AND RELEASED FROM A LOCAL HOSPITAL.  DETECTIVES LOCATED NICOTRA TUESDAY NIGHT AND HE WAS CHARGED WITH ARMED ROBBERY AND AGGRAVATED BATTERY WITH A DEADLY WEAPON.  HE IS BEING HELD WITHOUT BOND IN THE CHARLOTTE COUNTY JAIL AS HE IS A CONVICTED FELON, AND DETECTIVES SAY THEY EXPECT MORE ARRESTS IN THE CASE.  IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION YOU ARE ASKED TO CALL THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE AT 639-2101, OR CRIME STOPPERS AT 800-780-TIPS.