A 12-year-old boy was arrested Monday afternoon after St. Petersburg police said he stole a car from an 89-year-old man last week — and officers said this was not the boy's first alleged vehicle theft.
Raymond Raftery of Gulfport was pumping gas at 3890 22nd Ave. S on Friday morning when police said the boy, on a bicycle, told Raftery that one of his tires was low on air.
When Raftery got out to check his Toyota, police said, the boy made his move.
"He jumped off the bike and into the car and was gone in 30 seconds," Raftery said Tuesday morning.
"He was good," Raftery said. "I felt kind of dumb afterward, but it was broad daylight, and he was a kid. If it was an adult, I would have been more suspicious, but you never know — you live and you learn."
Police say the boy, who subsequently crashed the vehicle, also has burglary and robbery arrests on his record.
Raymond Raftery of Gulfport was pumping gas at 3890 22nd Ave. S on Friday morning when police said the boy, on a bicycle, told Raftery that one of his tires was low on air.
When Raftery got out to check his Toyota, police said, the boy made his move.
"He jumped off the bike and into the car and was gone in 30 seconds," Raftery said Tuesday morning.
"He was good," Raftery said. "I felt kind of dumb afterward, but it was broad daylight, and he was a kid. If it was an adult, I would have been more suspicious, but you never know — you live and you learn."
Police say the boy, who subsequently crashed the vehicle, also has burglary and robbery arrests on his record.