[PHOTO CREDIT: iStock / Ljupco]
[Original Publish Date: 11/29/19]
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MOUNT DORA, Florida — An Altoona woman has been charged with robbery by sudden snatching and grand theft, stemming from a Nov. 2 incident in Mount Dora’s Spring Harbor Apartments.
According to a probable cause affidavit, the victim’s stepson met her at her home in Tavares and insisted they go to Walmart. They stopped at a McDonald’s on the way and were joined by a white woman whose name the victim thought was Jocelyn, but was being called “Thot” or “Thotiana,” according to the affidavit; she was later identified as Jocelyn Ann Day, 19. (A black male going by the name “Q” or “Quinn” also joined the group, police have reported.)
The victim’s stepson decided he did not want to go to Walmart and instead wanted to go to Spring Harbor Apartments to borrow a video game from a friend. The group went to the apartment complex and the stepson exited the vehicle to go get the game. When he exited the vehicle, it is alleged that a man called “Frankie” — whom the victim would later identify for police as Francis John Atanasio — exited the vehicle as well, then grabbed the victim and pulled her through the window, the affidavit states.
The victim tried to fight back against Atanasio but was overpowered, the affidavit alleges. She held her wraparound purse tight to her body and the man punched her about her body in an effort to get her to release her purse. The victim heard a male voice tell Day to ‘help’ and Day got out of the vehicle and began punching the victim as well. The victim was still holding tightly to her purse — which had $1,300 in it — when the man began to drive off, dragging the victim a short distance. She finally let go of the purse and the suspects fled the area.
The victim suffered numerous cuts and abrasions and was later treated at AdventHealth Waterman for her injuries. Day was arrested in Orange County and transferred back to Lake County Tuesday. She is being held at the Lake County Jail on $7,000 bond.
Currently neither the Lake County Sheriff’s Office nor the Lake County Clerk of Court’s office have records on a Francis John Atanasio; the victim told police her stepson never came back.
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Our Editor-in-Chief, Marilyn M. Aciego, began writing for Lake Legal News in 2010. In addition, she has made more than two dozen appearances on live national television, including Nancy Grace and the Greta Van Susteren show, along with her appearance on Evil Twins. Contact her with breaking news, tips, and feedback by sending an e-mail to 352Tips@gmail.com. You can also contact us on our Facebook page — and make sure you “Like” and “Follow us” there. [PHOTO CREDIT: Bonnie Whicher]
