The Gabber Pinellas County's oldest independent weekly newspaper
Twelve-year-old Career Criminal Steals Car
An 89-year-old Gulfport resident was victim to a crime committed by a 12-year-old St. Petersburg boy on Friday, December 11.
According to gas station surveillance footage, Raymond Raftery watched in astonishment as the boy drove off in his Toyota.
Raftery had stepped out of his vehicle to check a tire after the boy told him it was low. The boy then circled the vehicle on his bicycle, hopped into the car and sped off.
The boy was arrested and charged with grand theft of a motor vehicle on Monday, December 14, after a police officer recognized him. This is not the first time the young man has been in trouble with the law; he has been arrested 20 times since he was nine years old.
“It’s not up to us on how we handle the situation,” Mike Puetz of the St. Petersburg Police Department said. “The juvenile justice system is there to rehabilitate kids and it’s up to them on what to do with repeat offenders.”
Attempted Murder in Treasure Island
Treasure Island police officers were dispatched to the Swashbuckler Motel at 11875 Gulf Blvd on Friday, December 11 in response to an armed person. The victim identified the suspect as Christopher Wayne Kuss, a 37-year-old transient.
Kuss, who was known to the victim, reportedly cut the victim’s throat with a small knife after an argument. He fled the scene on a bicycle and was apprehended shortly after.
The victim’s injuries are reported as serious, but non-life-threatening. Kuss was charged with attempted murder and booked in the Pinellas County Jail on $50,000 bond.
GULFPORT
Theft – 12/9, 9th Ave. S. and 58th St. S.
Theft – 12/9. 4900 block of 17th Ave. S.
Theft (grand) – 12/9, 2200 block of 52nd St. S.
Theft (grand) – 12/10, 1600 block of 58th St. S.
Vandalism/criminal mischief – 12/10, 1400 block of 49th St. S.
Theft – 12/11. 5100 block of 12th Ave. S.
Burglary (business) – 12/14, 1900 block of 49th St. S.
Trespass – 12/15, 1800 block of 55th St. S.
Burglary (residence) – 12/15, 4400 block of 27th Ave. S.
Theft (grand) – 12/14, 6000 block of Shore Blvd. S.
Theft – 12/15, 3100 block of Beach Blvd. S.
SOUTH PASADENA
Battery – 12/9, 700 block of Pasadena Ave. S.
Battery (aggravated) – 12/10, 1600 block of Pasadena Ave. S.
Theft – 12/11, 1200 block of Pasadena Ave. S.
Theft – 12/12, 1200 block of Pasadena Ave. S.
ST. PETE BEACH
Burglary (vehicle) – 12/10, 500 block of 71st Ave. S.
Stolen vehicle – 12/11, 5400 block of Gulf Blvd.
Stolen vehicle – 12/11, 5400 block of Gulf Blvd.
Shoplifting – 12/11, 4600 block of Gulf Blvd.
Weapon – 12/11, 3100 block of Gulf Blvd.
Battery – 12/11, 3100 block of Pass-A-Grille Way
Theft (grand) – 12/12, 7100 block of Sunset Way
Theft (grand) – 12/12, 3800 block of Gulf Blvd.
Theft (grand) – 12/14, 6800 block of Sunset Way
