Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Man fights back, runs off teens trying to steal scooter

By Times Staff
Published August 16, 2005

TAMPA - Andres V. Hernandez was outnumbered by the four teenagers trying to steal his scooter, but police say that didn't stop Hernandez from fighting to get his two-wheeler back - even after the teens whacked him with a board and punched him in the face.

Hernandez, 29, succeeded in retrieving his scooter and walked away from the Saturday afternoon attack with nothing more than a swollen face, Tampa Police spokesman Joe Durkin said.

Police on Monday were still looking for the teens, all thought to be about 16 to 18 years old.

"Obviously, law enforcement would not recommend fighting to get your property back because nothing is worth your safety," Durkin said. "In this case, he was pretty determined to fight back."

Hernandez could not be reached, but police said the attempted scooter-jacking happened at 5 p.m. near Dry Cleaning Warehouse, 1707 W Arch St.

Hernandez saw the teens stealing his scooter, and when he tried to stop them, one of them hit Hernandez with a board, according to a police report.

Another teen punched Hernandez in the face as the others took off with the scooter, police said. But Hernandez grabbed the board and hit the two teens with it, then chased after the others on the scooter.

He found the scooter a block away, abandoned, Durkin said.

Officers took one fingerprint from the rear of the scooter, which had minor damage to the ignition, but they have no other leads.

[Last modified August 16, 2005, 01:28:10]