Bar patrons detain robber until lawmen arrive

A 22-year-old Marco Island man is charged with attacking and robbing a Palm Coast man in the parking lot of a local bar Thursday evening according to a report received by Historic City News this morning.

The 24-year-old victim told deputies that he had just sold an IPhone inside the bar to a friend for $250. The victim was walking to his car around 11:00 p.m. to retrieve the phone, when Nicholas Stolinas approached him — asking to purchase a phone.

Witnesses said that before the victim could turn around, Stolinas struck him in the head with his fist and demanded his IPhone and cash. After the assault, Stolinas took the cash and phone and ran back towards the bar.

Bar patrons detained Nicholas Stolinas until deputies arrived.

Deputies said that as Stolinas was being placed into the patrol car, he threatened a witness, telling him that he needed to leave Flagler County.

Stolinas is charged with strong armed robbery, grand theft and intimidation of a witness.

The deputy reported Stolinas was uncooperative at the scene and attempted to kick out the vehicle windows as he was being transported to the Flagler County Inmate Facility.

“We don’t encourage citizens to confront a robber, but in this case, citizen involvement assisted deputies in making this timely arrest,” said Sheriff Donald W. Fleming. “Mr. Stolinas does not need to be out in the Flagler County community.”

During the booking process, deputies found Stolinas had two outstanding warrants for his arrest in Collier County, Florida. He was being held in the inmate facility in lieu of $29,000 bond.