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Highlands Today

Authorities: Man Beat Up Friend, Stole Money From Wallet

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By BRAD DICKERSON

Highlands Today

Published: January 3, 2009

SEBRING - A Sebring man remained in jail Friday under no bond following his Thursday arrest after allegedly robbing a friend.

Kevin Lee Warren Jr., 22, of 2024 Fernway St., Sebring, was charged with robbery without a firearm or weapon and resisting an officer without violence.

A Highlands County Sheriff's Office deputy responded to a home on Theodore Street in reference to a delayed battery. The victim's father told law enforcement his son had been beaten up and found in front of a neighbor's house with injuries that required medical attention, according to the arrest report.

Contact was then made with the victim, who reportedly had a "large contusion" on the right side of his forehead, as well as several "small lacerations" around his face. There was another deep laceration above his left eye that appeared to need stitches.

The victim told authorities he had been speaking with his friend, Kevin, when the suspect beat him up. He was not sure of Kevin's last name since he had not known him that long, the report stated.

While speaking with authorities, the victim discovered $30 was missing from his wallet. The money, he said, was there prior to his seeing Kevin, and was now gone.

The father was contacted to see if he knew who Kevin was. The man described the subject as being six feet tall, "heavy built" and with short hair. An exact address was not given, but the dad said it was near the intersection of Durence and Fernway streets.

Witnesses to the incident gave a description of Kevin that matched what the victim's father gave.

A follow-up finally identified the suspect as Kevin Lee Warren Jr., and a location on Fernway Street was established. When units arrived at the residence, the suspect reportedly ran out the back door and across the back yard. A short foot pursuit ensued before Warren surrendered behind a shed in the back yard, the report stated.
Florida statute defines robbery as, "the taking of money or other property which may be the subject of larceny from the person or custody of another, with intent to either permanently or temporarily deprive the person or the owner of the money or other property, when in the course of the taking there is the use of force, violence, assault, or putting in fear."

Although there were no specific charges filed in reference to the alleged battery, HCSO Lt. Kenny Johnson said additional charges could be filed by the state attorney's office if they felt it was warranted.

Deputy Jacob Riley made the arrest.

Highlands Today reporter Brad Dickerson can be reached at 863-386-5838 or bdickerson@highlandstoday.com.

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