TAMPA
Police seek carjacker who assaulted boy, 12
Police are looking for a man who they say punched a 12-year-old boy and stole his mother's car in a carjacking that took place Friday while the mother was picking up her younger child from day care.
The incident occurred about 5:30 p.m. The car, a 2009 silver Toyota Corolla with Florida license tag DQH D48, was left with the engine idling outside Bible Based Fellowship Christian Childcare Center at 8718 N 46th St., according to Tampa police.
The mother was inside the church, picking up a toddler. Outside, a man came up to the vehicle, punched the 12-year-old, told him to get out and then stole the car, police said.
Officers were searching for the Corolla and the suspect, who was described as a black man age 19 or 20 and 6 feet tall with short, braided hair, earrings in both ears and gold teeth. He was wearing a blue polo shirt and blue jeans.
The 12-year-old was treated for bruising and swelling to his face, police said.