Worker robbed at gunpoint

A maintenance worker at the DeSoto Square Mall was robbed at gunpoint while sweeping the mall's parking lot around 6:19 a.m. today.

A Manatee County Sheriff's Office report states the worker was sweeping when the suspect came up from behind, grabbed him around the neck and placed something sharp to his back.

The suspect demanded money from the victim and the victim handed him cash. Once released, the victim turned around and punched the suspect in the face, knocking him to the ground.

The suspect got up and fled west. He was not located, the report states.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].