Juvenile attacks alleged thief

By DELANIA TRIGG, Register Staff Writer

May 13, 2008 02:30 pm

— A Gainesville youth punched his attacker in the face after the suspect cut him on the leg with a knife and tried to take his bicycle.
The incident occurred in the 800 block of North Grand Avenue.
Chief Steven Fleming said the victim — a 12-year old boy whose name police will not release because he is a juvenile — told police he was riding his bicycle when the suspect approached him and asked for his bicycle.
“The suspect demanded his bicycle and he (the victim) refused to give it to him. The suspect then pulled out a small pocket knife and asked for the bike again,” Fleming said.
He said when the victim again refused to give up his bicycle, the suspect advanced toward him with the blade extended, cutting the victim in the knee area.
Then the victim apparently decided to fight back.
“He punched the suspect in the face, and the suspect left without the bike,” he said.