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Disabled veteran beaten by 2 men who came to his home with woman he met online

COCOA, Fla. — A disabled veteran in Cocoa said he opened his door to a woman he met online but it wasn’t love at first sight when two men who were with her barged in and attacked him.

Not only did the victim suffer cuts and bruises from the attack, but police said his older brother, 30-year-old James Sergeant, is still hospitalized from the beating he took after trying to help his brother.

The Brevard County Sheriff's Office told Channel 9 one of the men responsible has been identified as  39-year-old Curtis Andrew Long, who  was booked into the Orange County Jail on charges of armed home invasion robbery and battery.

"We're just hoping this case will come to an end soon," said Brevard County Deputy Maria Fernez.

The sheriff's office said the case started with an online dating site when 27-year-old Benjamin Sergeant made a date to meet a woman at his Cocoa home on Friday. Investigators said the woman brought two men with her, who went into the home and beat the disabled veteran and his service dog.

"The brother of the victim heard the commotion, came out and (at) that point he was attacked as well," said Fernez.

Investigators said the three suspects fled and crashed on North Indian River Drive.

Two of the suspects are still in the hospital but are expected to face charges in the case.