Tower Seriously Injured - 03.12.21 (FL) "UPDATED"

[TowNews]

Tow truck driver stabbed while trying to repossess vehicle, police say

 

 

VENICE, Fla. - Crime scene tape and flashing lights lined Triple Diamond Boulevard in Venice. 

 

"It's just a crazy way to start the day," said Troy Medeiros. 

 

A man who was only doing his job now fights for his life. 

 

"The helicopter landed right in the middle of the road the security and everything started going," said Medeiros. 

 

Venice police say a 39-year-old tow truck driver was met by Pablo Bautista when he tried to repossess Bautista's Buick, outside his work at PGT. 

 

"What we had there was a person likely in the process of a repossession, and an argument over that repossession. Which carried over to the street. And a stabbing occurred there," said Captain Charlie Thorpe of the Venice Police Department. 

 

Venice Police said 49-year-old Bautista, of Ft. Myers, stabbed the tow truck driver multiple times. 

 

"I saw the blood all over the ground," said Joyce Rotert. 

 

Joyce Rotert had just pulled into work when she opened her car door. 

 

"I realized something had happened over here that they were not aware of," said Rotert. 

 

The crime scene stretched over three areas and ended with the tow truck driver escaping to call for help. 

 

The tow truck driver, who was suffered life-threatening injuries was flown to the hospital. 

 

Now, two lives have been turned upside down. 

 

"A car is not worth it. No matter what. What if he is married and his children and his family will have to deal with this and the other guy’s family will have to deal with him being in jail. It’s just never worth it. It’s never worth it," said Rotert. 

 

Bautista is being charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. He remains in the Sarasota County jail with no bond. 

 

The tow truck driver is in intensive care following surgery. 

 

PGT Innovations released this statement following the stabbing: 

Earlier this morning, a PGT team member was involved in an off-site altercation near our Venice, Florida secondary campus on Triple Diamond Boulevard. The altercation resulted in an injury to an individual who is not a PGT employee. The suspect is in police custody. The PGT Venice campus went into lockdown until authorities apprehended the suspect.

 

 We believe this was an isolated incident that had nothing to do with PGT’s business or operations. 

 

We are working closely with local law enforcement authorities as their investigation of this situation continues. Our No. 1 priority is the safety of our team members, and we are committed to ensuring they have a safe work environment. Because this is an ongoing criminal investigation, we are not in a position to make any other comments or answer any questions at this time.

 

We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the Venice Police Department and other first responders for their leadership and support and their prompt response to this situation.

 

RESOURCE LINK with video

 

Man stabbed in dispute over vehicle repossession in Venice, police say

 

 

Update: Man accused of stabbing truck driver who was attempting to repossess his car in Venice

 

A man was arrested after he stabbed a tow truck driver who was trying to repossess his car in Venice on Friday morning, according to a police report.

 

According to the city of Venice, a 49-year-old Fort Myers man attacked a 39-year-old tow truck operator at about 7:45 a.m. in the parking lot of PGT Innovations at 104 Triple Diamond Blvd. The attack carried over to the parking area at 105 Triple Diamond. The victim escaped and called authorities from his truck at Morse Court and Triple Diamond.

 

The victim, who was stabbed multiple times, was taken by helicopter to Sarasota Memorial Hospital with life-threatening injuries. He is out of surgery and in intensive care. Police are not releasing additional information on the victim, citing Marsy's Law.

 

The 49-year-old is an employee of PGT: In a news release the company said one of the two men involved in the case was an employee and the victim was not. He is accused of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.

 

“We believe this was an isolated incident that had nothing to do with PGT’s business or operations,” PGT said in the release.

 

PGT went on lockdown until the suspect was taken into custody. The company said it is working closely with law enforcement and would not be able to make additional comments because of the active investigation.

 

Triple Diamond Boulevard was closed for hours while the case was investigated.

 

RESOURCE LINK

[Moose]

Hope he makes a full recovery, every repo agent needs a vest. They have dropped in price and will at least give some protection. However, it's best not to place yourself in that position and be ready to counter react if your are in danger of personal harm. This sounds as though the driver was unprepared and caught off guard.

[TowNews]