Teen assaults foster parent, seeks shelter in cop's home

OPA-LOCKA, Fla. (WSVN) -- A teenage boy who allegedly assaulted a foster parent is in police custody after seeking shelter at the home of a man who turned out to be a police officer.

The young male ran into a backyard late Monday afternoon. The home's owner, a Miami-Dade Schools Police officer on his day off, noticed him and asked the boy who he was running away from. The youth told him he was running from the police.

Authorities said the suspect had attacked a foster parent. Officials indicated the teen, who took off running after the incident, hit her so hard that she required medical attention. "He apparently attacked her, hitting her several times and causing some serious injuries," said David Chiverton, assistant city manager of Opa-Locka.

The suspect ran down a street near Opa-Locka Boulevard, which led him to the homeowner's house. What happened next was captured by surveillance video.

The teenager hopped the fence, and let himself into the officer's home after that officer invited the juvenile to come in. Once inside, the teenager walked by several pictures on the walls showing his host in his police uniform, but he appeared not to notice them.

The teen then plopped down on the living room couch while the detective called authorities and spoke with them in code so as to prevent tipping off his guest. Within minutes, a cruiser pulled up to the front of the house. The teen looked out the window, but it was too late for him to escape. Officers entered the house, handcuffed the teen and took him into custody.

"Lord, have mercy," said a nearby resident. "With such good luck, you better bless Him, because if you're running from them, and you run into them, come on, what else can you do?"

Chiverton chooses to emphasize the positive outcome of an unfortunate situation. "We're sad to know that the social worker was injured, but we're glad to know that the suspect was apprehended."

Since the suspect is a juvenile, police are not releasing his name. He faces multiple charges.

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