Venice police nabbed a robbery suspect early this morning (Sept. 27). The incident began shortly after midnight when police responded to a call at a home on Green Circle. Christopher Bruce Hoeckel, date of birth: Sept. 23, 1986, is accused of getting into a scuffle with the victim at the residence and running from the house after forcefully taking money. The police K-9 was able to track the suspect across U.S. 41 Business to the Venice Regional Medical Center emergency room. Hospital personnel indicated the subject had come and gone quickly. The police dog once again picked up the suspect’s scent and tracked Hoeckel to an area behind the hospital, where he was taken into custody without further incident and transported to the South County holding facility. Hoeckel was charged with robbery.
