FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – A 75-year-old man was severely beaten late Friday night after authorities said an intruder entered his apartment at the Leisure South Condominium in Fort Lauderdale while he was taking out the trash.
Police said the man, identified as “Norm” by neighbors, returned to find the intruder, Joseph Patrick Soini, 58, in his home.
Soini used a trophy as a weapon and attempted tostrangle him before fleeing with $4,000 in cash, a bicycle and the victim’s car, according to investigators.
Christopher Seiler, a neighbor, described the harrowing ordeal to Local 10 News.
”And he checked all the doors in the building, and Norm, poor Norm, was taking his trash out, left the door open, and the man was in his apartment, beat him to a pulp,” Seiler said.
Fort Lauderdale police said officers arrested Soini early Saturday morning after spotting him driving the stolen car.
They said officers used a grappling device to stop the car, leading to Soini’s arrest.
Neighbors expressed shock over the violent incident.
”To find a neighbor beaten, can’t swallow, bleeding from the arms, the mouth — it was devastating,” Seiler said. “We live in a safe neighborhood. This shouldn’t happen.”
Another neighbor, Danilo Pinto, added, “When I came, it was the cops here. It had happened already. They looked for the guy, and the guy was in the hospital.”
Neighbors said the victim was treated at a hospital and has since returned home.
Jail records show Soini is being held without bond at the Broward Main Jail on charges of grand theft auto and possession of cocaine as of Saturday morning.
Detectives say additional charges may follow as the investigation continues.