Crime & Safety

Motel 6 Employees Tackle Thief, Hold Him For Sheriff

Several Motel 6 employees were able to tackle a thief who had allegedly sprayed their general manager with mace and robbed her of her purse and bank deposit, according to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.

Wayne Johnston, 20, was charged with armed robbery after he allegedly robbed and battered the general manager of the Motel 6, 660 67th St. E., Bradenton, according to a report. 

Johnston was reportedly hanging around the motel office around noon when the general manager left with her purse and a bank deposit bag, a report said. Johnson accosted her, spraying her in the face with mace, then ripped her purse and bank bag away from her, a report states. Johnston punched her in the face before fleeing on foot, the report said, however he didn't get very far. 

Several coworkers ran after Johnston and tackled him to the ground, a report said. They were able to hold them there until MSCO could arrive.

The manager sustained bruises on her face as well as cuts and scratches on her hands as a result of the attack, a report said. 

Johnston was taken to the Manatee County Jail where he is being held.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.