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Courtesy photo. Volusia Sheriff's deputies have a warrant for the arrest of this man, Robert Bittle, accused of robbing and beating a 16-year-old boy near New Smyrna Beach.
NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Volusia County Sheriff's investigators are seeking the public's help in locating a 20-year-old man charged with luring a teenager into the woods near New Smyrna Beach on Saturday and then beating and robbing the victim.
Robert Bittle is facing one count of armed robbery in the attack, but investigators don't know where to find him, Sheriff's spokesman Gary Davidson said. Anyone with information regarding Bittle's whereabouts can report it anonymously and qualify for a reward of up to $1,000.
The victim, a 17-year-old boy, said he knows Bittle and ran into him and two other people while he was walking in downtown New Smyrna Beach on Saturday night.
"Bittle invited the victim to go to a party with him, and the victim accepted the invitation and got into the group's car," Davidson said. "The group then drove to a wooded area off of Sugar Mill Drive and then got out to walk the rest of the way into the woods. But instead of going to a party, Bittle and an accomplice turned on the victim, beating him up, stealing money from him and taking his shoes. The victim ran away after the attack, but turned back long enough to see Bittle holding a gun by his side. The attack left the victim's face and abdomen red, but he didn't require medical attention."
On Monday, Sheriff's investigators obtained a warrant for Bittle's arrest. Signed by Circuit Court Judge Joseph Will, the warrant calls for Bittle to be taken into custody and held on $50,000 bond.
Investigators are still trying to identify Bittle's accomplice.
Bittle is 5 feet 11 and 190 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes and tattoos on his arm, side and back.
Anyone with information regarding Bittle's whereabouts is asked to call Crime Stoppers of Northeast Florida, toll-free, at (888) 277-TIPS. Resident can also text a tip by texting "TIP231 plus the message" to CRIMES. Tipsters who provide information to Crime Stoppers will remain anonymous and can qualify for a reward of up to $1,000.
Anyone who would prefer to talk directly to a deputy regarding Bittle can call Sheriff's investigator Beth Ford at (386) 423-3301. However, only callers to Crime Stoppers will qualify for a reward.