Fort Lauderdale man held after alleged home invasion, beating of 75-year-old Central Beach resident

A Fort Lauderdale man who allegedly staged a home invasion against a 75-year-old Central Beach resident spent his second day in jail on Sunday, suspected by police of beating, robbing and attempting to strangle his victim before stealing his car and $4,000 in cash.

Joseph Soini, 48, was arrested on North Federal Highway in Fort Lauderdale early Saturday in the condo resident’s stolen auto, Fort Lauderdale Police said in a statement. He faces cocaine possession and grand theft auto charges and is being held in the Broward County Main Jail.

Police used a Grappler to intercept a home invasion suspect who allegedly stole his elderly victim's car. (Fort Lauderdale Police Department/Courtesy)
Police used a Grappler to intercept a home invasion suspect who allegedly stole his elderly victim’s car. (Fort Lauderdale Police Department/Courtesy)

But police indicated Soini could be charged as the person who attacked the elderly victim, who has not been identified.

According to the statement, police responded to a home invasion call around 10:25 p.m. on Friday in the 2900 block of Banyan Street. The scene of the attack is a six-story condo building within walking distance of Fort Lauderdale Beach, slightly to the north of East Las Olas Boulevard.

“Upon arrival, officers discovered a 75-year-old male victim who had been severely beaten,” police said. The city’s fire rescue department took the resident to Broward Health Medical Center “with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.”

Surprise attack

The victim was attacked after he had taken out the trash, the statement said, and when he returned to the building, found “an unknown suspect inside his apartment rummaging through his belongings. The victim confronted the suspect, who then attacked him, striking him with a trophy and attempting to strangle him.”

According to court records, Soini, who also resides in Fort Lauderdale, stands 6 feet, 2 inches tall and weighs 225 pounds.

“The suspect fled the scene in the victim’s vehicle after also stealing his bicycle and approximately $4,000 in cash,” the police statement said.

Early Saturday morning, with the aid of a Broward Sheriff’s Office helicopter, police located Soini near 330 North Federal Highway. Officers used a Grappler to immobilize the stolen car, and arrested Soini in the 100 block of North Federal.

“The investigation into the home invasion remains ongoing and additional charges may be forthcoming,” the statement said.

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