A 75-year-old Fort Lauderdale man fell victim to a home invasion robbery that left him severely battered and robbed of his vehicle, cash, and bicycle. The suspect, identified as 48-year-old Joseph Soini, was nabbed by police following the incident.
Officers were dispatched to the Leisure Beach South Condominiums on the 2900 block of Banyan Street late Friday night after receiving a report of the home invasion. The victim, who is yet to be named formally by the authorities, was discovered with serious injuries and subsequently received medical treatment at the Broward Health Medical Center, as detailed by NBC Miami. Soini, meanwhile, was apprehended a few hours later and is now facing charges including grand theft auto and possession of cocaine.
Details from 7News Miami indicate the elderly man, known to neighbors as Norm was attacked after taking out the trash. Resident Charlie Diaz recounted the harrowing sequence, saying, "[The intruder] attacked him and beat him up, robbed him and stole his car and left him to die." Diaz's comment underscores a palpable sense of shock and unease within the community.
The investigation revealed that Soini struck the victim with a trophy and attempted to strangle the man before fleeing in his car with nearly $4,000, police reported. A Broward Sheriff's Office helicopter later spotted the stolen vehicle near 330 North Federal Highway, leading to the deployment of a grappler to immobilize the car and Soini’s capture, as confirmed by CBS News Miami.
The arrest has brought a modicum of closure to the community, but residents like Diaz are pressing for increased security. In an expression of diminished peace of mind, Diaz said, "He got caught. but it’s not the first time that somebody has gotten into the building," indicating an ongoing concern about building safety, according to 7News Miami. The Fort Lauderdale Police continue their investigation into the incident.
