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Highlands Today

Two Charged With Armed Robbery

Ruben Nieto Cruz, 29; Roberto Nieto Cruz, 27

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By JOE SEELIG

Highlands Today

Published: July 17, 2008

SEBRING - Two men remained in Highlands County Jail on Wednesday, following their arrest late Monday or early Tuesday, after a 34-year-old man reported they beat him and forced him to give them his Xanax pills.

Roberto Nieto Cruz, 27, and Ruben Nieto Cruz, 29, both of 3425 Cindy's Lane Road, in Sebring, were each charged with armed robbery.

Roberto Cruz has since been charged with violation of probation for grand theft and was being held without bond. Ruben's Cruz's bond was set at $50,000, according to sheriff's central records.

Sheriff's road patrol deputies reported that the victim said he went to the suspects' Cindy's Lane Road home about 10 p.m. Tueday. While there, he reported, the men began to beat him repeatedly with their fists demanding his pills.

Xanax is a tranquilizer often used to treat anxiety.

The victim also reported that Ruben Cruz armed himself with a stick and hit him across the back with it. He told investigators that Roberto Cruz picked up a shovel and threatened him with it.

It was then he relinquished his 87 Xanax pills, according to reports.

Both men denied any involvement in the incident, according to Sheriff's Sgt. Darin Hood.

Joe Seelig can be reached at (863) 386-5834 or jseelig@highlandstoday.com

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