Sarasota Restaurant Owner Found Severely Beaten

Authorities are investigating the circumstances leading to the serious injury of a Sarasota restaurant manager, who was found unconscious Sunday night in a driveway near the restaurant, according to the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office.

Witnesses told deputies that the 51-year-old victim had followed three male customers out of New Dynasty Chinese Buffet, 6131 S. Tamiami Trail, around 9:30 p.m. after they left the restaurant without paying for their dinner.

The employees said they heard tires squeal a short time later but did not immediately find the victim, the report states. They said they did not know how he was injured, according to the report.

The victim was transported to Sarasota Memorial Hospital where he underwent surgery for a severe head trauma, according to Wendy Rose, spokesperson for the SCSO.

The suspects are described as three Hispanic males in their 20s with short hair, between 5-foot-8 and 6 feet tall and weighing between 210 to 250 pounds. One of the men has a pierced lip and eyebrow, authorities said, and another has a distinct rosary tattoo on his wrist and hand, according to a report.

Crime Stoppers of Sarasota is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the suspect.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call Criminal Investigations at 941-861-4900 or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers by calling 941-366-TIPS (8477), or online at www.sarasotacrimestoppers.com or via text message by texting TIP109 plus a message to CRIMES (274637).