Thread: Man's arm almost severed by alleged gas thief

Man's arm almost severed by alleged gas thief

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By ROCHELLE E.B. GILKEN

Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

Thursday, April 24, 2008

WEST PALM BEACH — Steven Hand's arm was nearly severed when he tried to protect himself from a machete-wielding man angry that Hand spotted him stealing gas, police said.

Hand, of Lantana, was driving in the 300 block of Maddock Street on Wednesday when he saw a man siphoning gas from a parked car. Hand yelled that he was going to call the police and kept driving.



Ramirez

When he got to the next intersection, the man pulled up next to him in a car, got out and raised the machete over his head. Hand raised his arms to protect himself and the weapon sliced him below his left forearm, police said.

He was listed in good condition Thursday night at St. Mary's Medical Center.

Police responded to the scene, and Hand described the attacker and his vehicle. Elmer Lopez Ramirez, 36, was stopped a few blocks away, and police found a bloody machete in the car.

Ramirez could not explain what happened in the altercation, police said. He was charged with attempted murder.

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/localnews/ ... html?imw=Y

First of all, anyone who buys a machete should have to present ID. How many Americans have need for a machete? Do we live in a jungle?!?! This crap has got to stop!

Ramirez could not explain what happened in the altercation, police said.

Which is it? He could not explain what happened, or he couldn't speak English to explain what happened?

I would question Ramirez's legal status. How many law abiding citizens drive around with machetes in their cars?