***UPDATE as of 1 P.M. on January 2, 2018***

Pinellas detectives are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying two women and two men considered persons of interest in a disturbance that critically injured a woman at the OZ Gentleman’s Club in unincorporated Clearwater, the morning of January, 1 2017.  

According to detectives, two unidentified females and two unidentified male subjects were involved in a physical altercation with 32-year-old Sonny Mendoza and his girlfriend 35-year-old Kara Thobe.

Thobe was critically injured during the physical altercation.

Female subject #1 is described as a Hispanic or light skinned black female, medium build, long wavy hair, wearing a tank top with a long sleeve see-through shirt, torn jeans and pointed toed shoes.

Female subject #2 is described as a Hispanic or light skinned black female, medium build, hair pulled back, wearing a jacket, tight pants and glasses.

Male subject #1 is described as a black male, tall, thin build, long dreadlocks or braids, facial hair, wearing a long sleeve shirt, a yellow sleeveless vest jacket, long pants, a large necklace and a Chicago White Sox baseball cap.  

Currently there is no description for male subject #2.

Anyone with information on the case is asked to contact Detective James Upton of the Robbery/Homicide Unit at (727) 582-6321 or remain anonymous and be eligible for a reward contact Crimes Stoppers at 1-800-873-TIPS or www.crimestoppersofpinellas.org.

Female subject #1

Female subject #2

Male subject #1

***End of Update***

***Original News Release***

Deputies Arrest Man After He Critically Injures Girlfriend During Disturbance At Gentleman’s Club in Unincorporated Clearwater

Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Patrol Operations Bureau
Investigative Operations Bureau
- Robbery/Homicide Unit

Largo Fire Rescue

Kara K. Thobe (Victim- Serious Injuries)
DOB: 07/24/1982
Address: 14330 58^th Street North, Clearwater

Sonny Mendoza (Arrested)
DOB: 10/27/1985
Address: 4018 Truman Drive, Seffner
Charges: One count of Aggravated Battery

What:
Pinellas deputies have arrested a Seffner man after he critically injured his girlfriend during a disturbance at the OZ Gentleman’s Club in unincorporated Clearwater.

When:
The incident occurred at about 1:15 a.m. on January 1, 2018.

Where:
The incident occurred outside the OZ Gentleman’s Club located at 13577 US Highway 19 North, unincorporated Clearwater.

Why/How:
Pinellas deputies have arrested a Seffner man after he critically injured his girlfriend during a disturbance at a gentleman’s club in unincorporated Clearwater.

At about 1:15 a.m. on January 1, 2018, deputies were called to the OZ Gentleman’s Club in unincorporated Clearwater, for a report of a disturbance occurring outside the business. When deputies arrived they located the victim 35-year-old Kara Thobe. Thobe was unresponsive suffering from head injuries.

Paramedics from Largo Fire Rescue responded to the scene and transported Thobe to Bayfront Health St. Petersburg for life-threatening injuries.

According to detectives, the suspect 32-year-old Sonny Mendoza and his girlfriend Thobe were outside the gentleman’s club ordering food from the food stand when two unidentified Hispanic or light skinned black females exited the club. Witnesses told detectives Mendoza and Thobe exchanged words with the two unidentified females.

Detectives say the two unidentified females went back into the club and returned with two unidentified black males. A verbal exchange continued between Mendoza, Thobe and the unidentified males and females.  During the argument, a physical altercation occurred and a fight broke out.

Surveillance video of the altercation showed Mendoza fighting with the unidentified males.  During the melee, Mendoza threw Thobe to the ground where she struck her head. Mendoza was then seen repeatedly slamming Thobe’s head into the cement until patrons at the club rushed in and restrained him. 

The two unidentified males and two unidentified females fled the scene before deputies arrived.

Deputies arrested Mendoza and transported him to the Pinellas County Jail. Mendoza was charged with one count of aggravated battery.

Detectives interviewed Mendoza who claimed he mistakenly slammed Thobe into the ground multiple times thinking he was fighting with one of the unidentified males.

Detectives say Thobe’s medical condition is critical.  

Detectives are requesting anyone who may have witnessed this incident or anyone with information on the case to contact Detective James Upton of the Robbery/Homicide Unit at (727) 582-6321.

The investigation continues.

Sonny Mendoza booking photo.