By Danny Valentine and Dan Sullivan, Times Staff Writer
Friday, February 24, 2012
ST. PETERSBURG — Deputies were investigating a home invasion robbery Friday that left a 58-year-old man severely beaten in his home, according to Pinellas County sheriff's officials.
William Bennett Roberts was found beaten in his home at 5104 67th Way N about 8:30 a.m. Friday, deputies said. A friend stopped by to visit Roberts and found him inside hurt and calling for help.
Roberts was taken by paramedics to a local hospital, officials said. He suffered severe trauma to his upper body and was still in the hospital on Friday afternoon, officials said.
Roberts' son, Colin Roberts, 20, said he has no idea who might have attacked his father or why.
"He's a really good guy," the younger Roberts said. "He just keeps to himself."
His father lives alone on disability money due to an assortment of health problems, Roberts said. The elder Roberts has battled pneumonia six times in addition to problems with his liver and kidneys.
Roberts was never married, but was with his son's mother, Lorie Floener for 25 years, Colin Roberts said. He regularly visited them at their St. Petersburg home.
"We're close, but we just talk about father-and-son stuff," Colin Roberts said. "But personal stuff he just keeps to himself."
Colin Roberts said a neighbor called him early Friday to tell him and his mother that ambulances were parked outside his father's house. He knew little of the circumstances of what happened, he said. His mother was at the hospital late Friday afternoon.
Deputies believe Roberts was beaten by unidentified suspects who forced their way into his home. He was also robbed, but deputies did not say what was stolen.
No arrests have been made and the investigation is continuing.