Authorities Investigating Armed Robbery at Area Hotel

The Sarasota Police Department is investigating an armed robbery that happened at about 1 a.m. Wednesday at the Marriott Residence Inn at 1040 University Parkway, Sarasota.

When officers responded, the clerk, a female, said she was doing her nightly paperwork in the sitting area of the hotel when a man walked in and pointed a semi-automatic handgun at her, ordering her to give him money, according to the report.

At first, the clerk told him no and attempted to grab the gun as he got closer to her, the report states. He reportedly struck the clerk in the left side of her head, knocking her to the ground and causing a laceration, the report said.  

In fear of her life, he clerk unlocked the safe and reportedly gave the suspect an undisclosed amount of money. At one point, the man said he used to work at the hotel. He ordered the clerk to the ground face down and told her to stay there and not move; authorities believe he exited through an open window.

The suspect is described as a Hispanic male, in his 20s, average height with a slender build.  He was last seen wearing a black baseball type hat with a white letter, a gray bandana covering his face and a black long sleeved shirt with a possible gray design on it or just a gray undershirt, black shorts and shoes.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Sarasota Police Departmentat 941-316-1199 or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers by calling941-366-TIPS (8477) or online at www.sarasotacrimestoppers.com