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St. Petersburg police: 12-year-old boy tricks 89-year-old man to steal his car

 
Published Dec. 16, 2015

ST. PETERSBURG — 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."

The boy was spotted by detectives Monday. He was arrested on a charge of grand theft motor vehicle. Authorities said the boy, who was not identified because of his age, has been arrested more than 20 times. Raftery wasn't injured and said he was glad no one was hurt during the incident. He got his car back, but it wasn't in the best condition.

"I think he got into a car accident," Raftery said. "He probably couldn't even reach the pedals."