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Punta Gorda police arrest kidnapping suspect

By WINK News

Story Created: Aug 29, 2008 at 10:43 AM EST

Story Updated: Aug 29, 2008 at 1:05 PM EST

PUNTA GORDA, Fla. - Punta Gorda Police arrested 54-year-old Charles Thomas Schneider on Thursday, for the kidnapping, armed robbery, and attempted murder of 62-year-old Joseph Polansky.

Punta Gorda Police tell WINK News, around 6:00 a.m. Thursday, the Lee County Sheriff's Office told Punta Gorda Police that Polansky had been the possible victim of a kidnapping, and had been shot in the head.

Punta Gorda Police detectives spoke with Polansky at Lee Memorial Hospital, who said he met Schneider a couple of weeks ago at Gilchrist Park and struck up a friendship with him.

Polansky said he met Schneider again at Gilchrist Park Wednesday night, and Schneider invited him to his house. When they got to Schneider's house, Schneider pulled out a gun, tied Polansky's hands and feet, and held him at gunpoint.

Schneider allegedly demanded $10,000.00 from Polansky. Shortly after midnight, Schneider drove Polansky's car, with Polansky in it, to an abandoned area in Lehigh Acres.

Police say Schneider then shot Polansky once in the head and left.

Polansky woke up, walked to the nearest house, and called the Lee County Sheriff's Office. He was taken to the hospital, where he was treated for his injuries and is in stable condition.

Based on Polansky's description of Schneider and his house, Punta Gorda Police went to the address. While officers were at the scene, Schneider emerged from surrounding woods and was arrested.

Police say Schneider was taken to the Charlotte County Jail and charged with Armed Robbery, Kidnapping, Carjacking, Grand Theft, and Attempted Murder. He's being held on no bond.

View Oldest Comments First

Tuesday, Sep 2 at 5:51 PM Someone that knows Joe wrote ...

Joe our thoughts and prayers are with you. Hope you are doing well.

Friday, Aug 29 at 10:45 PM Lance wrote ...

Charles, all I gota say is stop playing your grand kids' video games. This sounds like a mission from Grand Theft Auto Vice City! You are a desprate soul with a bleak chance for normality as far as I can see. I hope you have some remorse for your victoms - Thats Joe, his family and sadly whatever family you have embarrased by your actions. You had better not try and insanity plea - it would be ridiculus now!