Alleged car thief shot by victim, both arrested

HIALEAH, Fla. (WSVN) -- An alleged car thief and his victim are both behind bars after the victim chased and shot the suspected crook in the street.

The confrontation happened just after 10 p.m. Wednesday in the area of Okeechobee Road and West 16th Avenue. According to police, 41-year-old Orlando Garcia went after 35-year-old Leobel Gonzalez after Gonzalez allegedly stole Garcia's car. "From what we've gathered so far, it appears that it started off as a confrontation between these two men over a stolen vehicle and ended here on 16th Avenue, on Okeechobee Road," said Eddy Rodriguez of Hialeah Police.

A witness said she saw the two men fighting in the street and one man got out of his car and shot the other man. "I saw two men fighting and one struck him in the face, and the other guy took out a gun and shot him down in the legs," said Elizabeth Gonzalez, who is not related to the alleged crook.

Hialeah Police said Garcia shot Gonzalez. "I just heard him screaming. He was still conscious, but he was still screaming, 'Ow, ow, ouch,' screaming,'" said the witness.

Authorities arrived on scene to find the accused car thief injured in the street. Rescue crews transported him to Jackson Memorial Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The shooter was taken into police custody. Authorities continue to investigate. "We do have the shooter in custody. We're interviewing him to find out the rest of the story," said Rodriguez.

Police Garcia should not have chased the thief the thief instead of calling police. They have charged him aggravated battery

Gonzalez has since been released from JMH and is expected to be OK. He has been charged with grand theft auto.

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