Convicted felon assaults man visiting Fort Lauderdale for wedding, police say

Police: Mario Lopez, 26, robbed, assaulted victim after he separated from group while leaving bar

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. ā€“ One person has been arrested in connection with the robbery and assault of a man who was visiting Fort Lauderdale for a wedding.

Police said a group of people were leaving the Tropic Cay Sports Bar about 3:15 a.m. Monday, when the crowd separated, leaving Nathan Brooks, 26, walking alone.

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Police said shortly after Mario Lopez, 26, approached Brooks and struck him multiple times in the face and head with a gun. Lopez then stole all of Brooks' belongings that were in his pocket, according to officers.

After Brooks failed to arrive back to the hotel, his fiance, Julia Martinez and her mother, Sherrie Geisler, went looking for him.

They found Brooks lying in the street. Police said Lopez then pointed the gun at the women and ordered them to lie down. Lopez allegedly struck the mother and daughter multiple times with the gun and stole all of their belongings.

Police said Lopez also struck Brooks again before fleeing the area. He was later found in the area of University Drive and Interstate 595 in Davie.

Police said Lopez ran away from officers and struck, kicked and choked a K-9 that was assisting officers.

Lopez was eventually taken into custody. He is facing multiple charges including, three counts of armed robbery with a firearm, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and battery of a police dog.


About the Author:

Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com.