Thursday, October 29, 2009
Good Samaritan leads police to suspected murderer
COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (WSVN) -- A neighbor's suspicion and brave acts lead police to a jealous ex-boyfriend, who allegedly murdered his ex-girlfriend's male friend.
A woman was walking in her neighborhood when she noticed a parked, running car Wednesday. The woman then decided to take matters into her own hands when she saw a man run out of the car and enter a home.
Coconut Creek Police credited the vigilant neighbor for the ex-boyfriend's arrest. "She walked down the street," said Tony Avello. "She started to hear commotion coming from inside the home, dogs were barking, people were screaming. She proceeded to go into the car and turn off the ignition and removed the keys, also took a wallet from inside the car and proceeded to walk home. She then called 911 and explained to us what she's hearing and seeing."
According to police, Paul Gale exited the home after committing the murder and threw a knife into the car, but he couldn't leave because the Good Samaritan took his keys.
Police said Gale killed his ex-girlfriend's friend, Clark Hastings, while the ex-girlfriend managed to escape from inside the house.
According to a police report, Gale told his ex-girlfriend he loved her to death.
Gale has been charged with murder, attempted murder and burglary.
(Copyright 2009 by Sunbeam Television Corp. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
