Sarasota is just a small, college town....of course, every town has its 'criminal element'.....
..why didn't these guys have a ride....especially with relatives close by?....Longboat Key is not within easy walking distance to Sarasota......but it's not that far either.
Because the Brits are used to walking. It was only a 20 minute walk or so to the IHOP I gather, no problem for two fit (but somewhat drunk?) young guys.
A taxi would have been much better...
Not that I'm aware of. It's a tourist and retirement community, AFAIK.
..why didn't these guys have a ride....especially with relatives close by?....Longboat Key is not within easy walking distance to Sarasota.
Story says they were drinking in downtown Sarasota and walked out from there looking for a place to get a late meal. If they were looking for an IHOP, it's probably the one on 301 just north of downtown.
LK is a LONG community, depending on where on the Key they were staying, it could be relatively short (4 miles) or a rather long hike from downtown. Like 10 or 12 miles.