SEBASTIAN — A 20-year-old was arrested last week after police said he and two others devised a plan to kidnap, beat and rob a man who agreed to meet the suspects and engage in sexual acts for cash, authorities said.
One of the suspects – identified as Matthew Zackary Evans – and another man beat the victim, leaving him with severe injuries, reports show. The victim – who suffered a broken nose and had a depression in his cheek bone – was taken Lawnwood Regional Medical Center & Heart Institute in Fort Pierce, where he was heavily sedated on pain medication.
Reports show the victim was released from the hospital two days after the attack.
The victim told police he recently met Evans and the second suspect through Instagram, a mobile app. The victim previously met with a third suspect at an apartment in Fellsmere.
Police arrested Evans, of the 1400 block of 14th Court, on charges of attempted robbery and kidnapping. Evans remained Monday at the Indian River County Jail without bond.
It was not immediately known if the other two men involved were also charged.
Sebastian police spoke with the victim about 11:20 p.m. Nov. 18 at his home. Officers noticed the victim’s face had several cuts and was severely swollen, reports show.
The victim told police he agreed to meet Evans and the second suspect earlier on the night of Nov. 18 in the parking lot of the Sebastian River Landing Clubhouse, reports show. When Evans and the second suspect pulled up to the complex, the victim got inside the backseat of the vehicle.
Police said Evans put the victim in a choke hold as the vehicle sped out of the parking lot. The second suspect, who drove the vehicle, traveled to the parking lot of the San Sebastian Park.
Evans pulled the victim out of the vehicle and onto the ground, and demanded $50 from him, reports show. The third suspect – who was already at the park – pulled out a firearm and pointed it at the victim, reports show.
Evans and the third suspect began to beat the victim.
The victim told police he blacked out. After waking up, the victim ran to his home and called law enforcement.
Police arrested Evans and took him to the county jail. Evans has an arraignment at 8:30 a.m. Dec. 19, court records show.