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SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) - The Sarasota Police Department is reporting one of their officers shot a robbery suspect Tuesday morning near Beneva and Fruitville roads.
The robbery involved an 83 year old woman who was shopping at the Publix at 501 N. Beneva Road and was pushing her groceries to her car when she was approached by a 71 year old man, who was identified as Robert Paul Briandi, who tried to take her purse off her shoulder.
A witness who tried to help the woman began following the Briandi, videoing him with his phone, and calling 911 simultaneously.
Sarasota Police responded to the robbery around 3470 Fruitville Road. Briandi crossed Fruitville Road while holding a knife and was confronted by a Sarasota Police officer. After Briandi refused to drop his weapon, shots were fired and the suspect was wounded.
He was taken to Sarasota Memorial Hospital is in stable condition and is facing charges of Aggravated Assault with a Weapon without Intent to Kill and Armed Robbery. he is expected to make a full recovery.