The Manatee Sheriff’s Office is investigating an attempted robbery at home in Sarasota.

  • Manatee County deputies searching for attempted robbery suspect
  • Couple returned home when the suspect pointed a gun at them
  • The suspect fled after the porch lights were turned on; nothing was taken

The incident happened at a residence in the 1300 block of Hidden Circle East.

The victims, a boyfriend and girlfriend, told deputies that they had just returned home when a man came from behind a fence, pointed a firearm and demanded money.

According to deputies, the boyfriend told the suspect that he didn’t have anything. The suspect told him to “go in the house or I’ll kill you,” deputies said. The girlfriend reached inside the house and turned on the porch light which scared off the suspect. As he was leaving he said, “I’ll be back,” the victims told investigators.

There were no reports of injuries and no property was taken, investigators said.

The suspect is described as being between 18 and 22 years old, 5 feet 7 to 6 feet tall and weighing between 150 to 180 pounds.  He was last seen wearing a red beanie hat, black bandana that was covering his face, gray shirt and blue jean shorts.  Deputies say he was carrying an OD Green pistol and a stun gun.