2 arrested after attack outside Punta Gorda bar leaves victim bloodied with broken rib, missing shoe

Two men were arrested on Thursday after being accused of attacking a man outside of a Punta Gorda bar on September 13. According to the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office arrest report, on September 13, Punta Gorda police officers responded to the area of East Marion Avenue and Milus Street at around 12:19 a.m. There, they found an unconscious man who was bloodied, missing a shoe, and had lacerations on his head and face. Medical evaluation later revealed that the victim had sustained serious bodily injuries, including a fractured rib. Officers began investigating the events that led to the discovery of the victim. The report said that the incident began at CJ's Tavern, a bar on Tamiami Trail. Surveillance footage showed the victim interacting with a man and then exiting the bar. Once outside, the victim made a gesture that appeared to be a middle finger to a group of men, which included Christian Vazquez-Cruz, Daniel Agosto, an unidentified man, and the man whom the victim interacted with inside the bar. According to the report, a physical altercation then broke out between the victim and the group of men. The man from inside the bar did not engage in the attack, and therefore was not a suspect, officers said. Surveillance footage showed the victim being knocked down and then running from the parking lot while being chased and hit by Vazquez-Cruz and the unidentified man, the report said. The victim was hit multiple times in the head. The chase continued for over 0.4 miles and ended where the victim was ultimately found. Investigators were able to identify Agosto and Vazquez-Cruz through a follow-up at Lime Tequila restaurant in Port Charlotte. The unidentified man was named a suspect; however, officers have yet to identify or locate him, the report said. On Thursday, Agosto and Vazquez-Cruz were arrested at PGPD headquarters. Vazquez-Cruz was found to be on active probation for a prior cocaine possession charge, the report said. Agosto faces a charge of aggravated battery. Vazquez-Cruz faces charges of aggravated battery and violation of probation. DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.