2 teens arrested for Valentine’s Day attack at FSW

FORT MYERS, Fla. – Two teenagers were arrested Monday for attacking and robbing a woman at Florida Southwestern State College on Valentine’s Day, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office said.

Nabbacus Watkins, 19, and a 17-year-old are each charged with robbery by sudden snatching. The 17-year-old was released from the Lee County jail while Watkins remained there without bond.

The teenagers are accused of grabbing the woman’s purse, shoving her to the ground and punching her with a closed fist, the department said.

A few hours later, residents in a McGregor Boulevard neighborhood reported seeing four young men knocking on doors and asking for help getting their vehicle out of a ditch.

“As it turns out, that particular vehicle had been stolen in Lee County Saturday night,” the department said in a statement.

Two of the men were later identified as Erlacher and Watkins, who fit the description of the campus assault suspects, the department said.

“Thanks to keen eyed witnesses, combined with swift and determined investigators, the persons responsible for this attack will now have to face the consequences of their actions,” said Trish Routte, Crime Stoppers coordinator, in a statement. “We are grateful that the victim is recovering from her injuries, and can only hope that this experience will be a learning moment for these two young men.”