A Bradenton woman is accused of beating a 73-year-old man with a frying pan, then tying him up and robbing him.

Stephanie C. Ross, 23, is facing charges of robbery with a weapon, burglary with battery and false imprisonment.

According to the Bradenton Police Department, officers responded to the 2400 block of 13th Street W shortly before 6 p.m. Wednesday to investigate a call about a robbery. When they arrived, Jerry Shell told them Ross was standing outside his apartment while he unloaded groceries.

When Shell finished unloading his groceries and went back to his apartment, Ross was no longer standing outside.

Shell went into his apartment, where he said Ross attacked him, hitting him between 15 and 20 times in the head with a frying pan, police said.

Ross dragged Shell into the bedroom, demanding money from him, police said. Ross tied up Shell’s hands and legs with clothing and packing tape, then went through his pants and took his wallet, police said.

Ross demanded Shell give her the PIN for his ATM card, and said she would return and kill him if the PIN didn’t work, police said. Ross then blindfolded and gagged Shell.

Police officers found Ross at the intersection of 14th Street W and 23rd avenue W. Ross had Shell’s ATM card and two of his phones in her possession at the time, police said.

Ross was taken into custody after Shell identified her as the suspect, police said. They said Ross did not cooperate with them.

Shell was taken to Blake Hospital to receive treatment for his head injuries. Police last said he was in stable condition.





