Florida police have released body camera footage of a robbery suspect who was shot by a police officer after confronting the officer with a knife while ignoring orders to drop the weapon.
“Drop the knife, drop the knife,” a Sarasota Police Department officer can be heard yelling at suspect Robert Briandi, 70, who they say had just attempted to snatch the purse of an 83-year-old woman who was carrying her shopping in your car at a Publix, WTVT-TV reported.
“No, no,” Briandi replies. “I am a sick person.”
FLORIDA MAN ARRESTED FOR ALLEGEDLY SHOOTING TWO DOGS, KILLING ONE, DURING ATTEMPTED ROBBERY: ‘COLD HEART’
Sarasota police shot a man after he allegedly tried to rob an elderly woman
(Sarasota Police Department)
Briandi then takes several steps towards the officer, at which point the officer opens fire.
The 911 calls reached Sarasota police around 10 a.m. Tuesday after Briandi allegedly attempted to steal the elderly woman’s purse. When she fought back, others rushed to her aid.
“She did a great job fighting him,” said Capt. John Todd, commander of the Sarasota Police Department’s criminal investigation division. “She was attacked from behind with a knife-wielding assailant and he did a very good job of protecting himself from her.”
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Roberto Briandi, 70 years old.
(Sarasota Police Department)
As Briandi fled, a bystander recorded Briandi on a cell phone and followed him to a nearby Homewood Suites hotel.
“This Good Samaritan went above and beyond the call of duty, but I think without his actions we could not have had such a quick conclusion to the event,” Todd said.
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Homewood Suites on Fruitville Road in Florida.
(Google Maps)
Briandi has a criminal record in New York and Florida dating back to the 1970s, police say.
Briandi is said to be in stable condition after the surgery.
