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Police in Sarasota, Florida, are asking for the public's help in identifying four men caught on surveillance video beating up a gas station store clerk around 9 p.m. on Nov. 12.
The clip released on the department's Facebook page shows the four men inside the Exxon/Mobile station store at 2525 North Tamiami Trail as one apparently made a purchase using a card reader.
One clerk wearing glasses handled the transaction, and the clerk involved in the fight apparently was off camera speaking to the foursome, who then left the store.
Image via Sarasota Police Department Facebook
Police said the clerk wouldn't let them purchase a cigar since they had no identification, which led to an argument.
The clip then turned to an outside camera which showed the clerk who was apparently out of frame in the first part of the video exiting the store. Police said he was taking garbage to the dumpster, although the clip showed the clerk carrying nothing.
Image via Sarasota Police Department Facebook
At this point one of the four men approached the clerk and appeared to argue with him.
Image via Sarasota Police Department Facebook
Suddenly he punched the clerk.
Image via Sarasota Police Department Facebook
And that's when a fight broke out, with the remaining three men ganging up with their friend to punch and kick the clerk in the parking lot.
Image via Sarasota Police Department Facebook
Soon the bespectacled clerk who handled the men's transaction appeared to exit the store.
Image via Sarasota Police Department Facebook
Video showed that clerk walking toward the beating his coworker was taking — who did seem to hold his own despite being outnumbered — and then quickly turning around and heading back inside without getting involved.
Image via Sarasota Police Department Facebook
Apparently the foursome had quite the time subduing the clerk and gave up, with one of them trying to pull his friends away.
Once the clerk rose to his feet, he gave the thugs a momentary intimidating move, and they ran off.
Image via Sarasota Police Department Facebook
The four men face aggravated battery charges, police said.
Here's the clip:
Attempt to Identify Aggravated Battery Suspects Caught on CameraPLEASE SHARE: Detectives with the Sarasota Police Department are attempting to identify four suspects who were involved in an aggravated battery incident on November 12, 2015. Detectives have attempted to identify the four suspects through investigation but have been unsuccessful and are now asking for the public’s help. On November 12, 2015 at approximately 9 p.m., Sarasota Police Officers responded to the Exxon/Mobile Station, 2525 North Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, in reference a battery. Upon arrival, the clerk told Officers, four male suspects attempted to purchase a cigar. The suspects were unable to provide any identification so the clerk denied the purchase. The suspects argued with the clerk and left the store.The suspects returned a short time later and confronted the clerk while he was taking garbage to the dumpster outside the store. A verbal dispute occurred between the suspects and the clerk. One of the suspects, an unknown black male, then punched the clerk in the face multiple times. The clerk attempted to protect himself and wrestled the unknown subject to the ground. The three other unknown black males then joined the physical altercation, punching and kicking the victim multiple times.Anyone with information on this case, please call Detective Anthony DeFrancisco at 941-954-7049 or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers by calling 941-366-TIPS (8477) or online at www.sarasotacrimestoppers.com
Posted by Sarasota Police Department on Thursday, December 10, 2015
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