News-Sun staff
LAKE PLACID -- Two men have been arrested in connection an armed home invasion robbery where a man was severely beaten with a metal pipe for his cell phone on Saturday.
The robbery at 153 Sarasota St. in Lake Placid was the call Deputy Cory Dale Tomblin was responding to when his patrol car struck and killed 48-year-old Sherri L. Stewart, who stepped in front of his cruiser near Mirror Lake Drive.
Highlands County Sheriff's Office detectives have arrested W. Scott Button, 46, of 418 Highlands Blvd. in Lake Placid and Roy Anthony Dampier Jr., 53, of 30 Kramer Drive in Lake Placid. They are charged with attempted felony murder, burglary while armed, robbery with a weapon, and tampering with physical evidence. There is no bond until first appearance for either suspect.
"We are pleased to get these criminals off of the street," Sheriff Susan Benton said in a press release. "Our detectives have worked tirelessly to identify and apprehend these violent offenders.
"The victim was repeatedly beaten with a metal pipe to the point of needing to be airlifted to a trauma center due to suffering numerous serious lacerations and contusions on his head and forearms. The suspects did all of this for only getting a cell phone."
"This was a team effort to identify and apprehend these suspects and that a simple information report taken by Deputy Pearlman the same evening provided a substantial lead in this case," lead detective Hank Smith said.
Button was arrested at the Highlands County Jail where he has been since Wednesday on other burglary charges. Dampier was arrested at 340 Highlands Blvd. in Lake Placid on Friday.
Anyone with further information on this case may contact Smith at 863-402-7382 or 863-402-7250. Anyone with information who wants to remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash reward is asked to call Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477) or online at www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com
Friday, November 02, 2012 - www.newssun.com/110412-home-invasion