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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (WFLA) — A Fort Lauderdale man is accused of “severely” beating a 75-year-old man during a home invasion Friday night, according to NBC affiliate WTVJ.
Joseph Soini, 48, reportedly beat the victim and stole his vehicle and $4,000 in cash.
Fort Lauderdale police responded to the home in the 2900 block of Banyan Street around 10:30 p.m. on Friday to find the 75-year-old victim severely beaten. He was taken to a nearby hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries, WTVJ reported.
According to investigators, the man had taken out his trash and was coming back to his apartment when he found Soini in his home, going through his stuff.
When the victim confronted Soini, the suspect struck him with a trophy and tried to strangle him, WTVJ reported. Soini reportedly took off the victim’s bicycle and the $4,000.
Police located Soini the following morning around 1:20 a.m. in the stolen vehicle near a highway. Officers immobilized the vehicle and took him into custody.
Soini was arrested Saturday on charges of grand theft auto and possession of cocaine, according to court records.
This remains an active investigation.