Gavin Pearce, 30, of Bradenton, is facing two felony charges including Aggravated Battery on a Person over 65 and Carjacking with a Weapon after an incident in downtown Sarasota on Monday, June 7, 2021.

Just before 5:30 p.m. Monday, Sarasota Police officers responded to the 1400 block of 1^st Street, Sarasota, for a battery with injuries.  A caller told dispatchers that Pearce grabbed two wine glasses from a table at a nearby restaurant, broke the glasses on the ground, walked up to a parked car, jumped in, and began attacking a 74-year-old man who was in the driver’s seat.  The caller said Pearce jumped out of the car and rode off on a bicycle.

When Sarasota Police officers arrived on the scene, they found the victim sitting in a chair on a sidewalk with several citizens rendering aid.  The victim told officers he believed Pearce was attempting to steal his car.  The victim threw his key fob out of the car so Pearce would not be able to take it.  The victim chose to drive himself to Sarasota Memorial Hospital for further treatment.

Sarasota Police officers found Pearce a short time later near the intersection of 5^th Street and North Tamiami Trail, Sarasota.  Pearce declined to speak with officers.  He said he only wanted to speak with detectives in a recorded room.  Once at Sarasota Police Headquarters, Pearce opted into speaking with his attorney before answering any questions.  He was transported to the Sarasota County Jail without incident.

Pearce is currently being held at the Sarasota County Jail.  Booking photos can be found on the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office website.

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