A West Phoenix mom chased down and confronted a man who assaulted her 10-year-old son and stole his bike.
Phoenix Police report that on February 24, a man, later identified as 18-year-old Angel Lopez, assaulted a 10-year-old boy by punching him in the stomach, causing him to fall off his bicycle. He then allegedly stole the boy's bike and peddled away.
The boy went to his home near 51st Drive and Virginia Avenue and informed his mother and brother what had happened. The boy's mother and brother searched the area and found Lopez riding the bike. The mother chased down Lopez as he was trying to ride away. He threw down the bike as the mother approached and reached for his waistband. The woman's son warned her that Lopez was reaching for a gun, while Lopez allegedly stared at the mother and nodded his head, before running off.
Police later developed information showing Lopez was the one responsible for the theft and the mother and brother both identified him in a photo lineup.
Lopez was located on April 27 and arrested at a home near 63rd Avenue and Osborn Road. Upon his arrest, Lopez reportedly told police that he found the bike abandoned on a front porch. He denied threatening the woman with a gun, saying he was just pulling up his pants.
He's been charged with robbery and threatening.
