BREAKING NEWS: Woman pistol-whipped near NSB
Posted Wed, 2008-12-31 20:43
NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- A 24-year-old man was arrested this afternoon on charges of robbing a woman at gunpoint and pistol whipping her the previous day near New Smyrna Beach.
James L. Smith Jr. faces a charge of armed robbery with a weapon for the daylight confrontation. The 33-year-old victim was treated at Bert Fish Medical Center in New Smyrna Beach for her facial injuries and released the same day.
Melissa Koch told deputies that she was riding her bicycle to her boyfriend's house at approximately 12:30 p.m. Tuesday. When she got to the intersection of Spruce Street and Mary Avenue, a man stepped in front of Koch, forcing her to stop. Koch asked what he wanted and she said that he demanded, "Give me your money." She initially refused, but
the man, later identified as Smith, pulled out a small handgun and pointed it at her face. Koch then admitted that she had some money in her pants.
She was forced to the ground and Smith reached into her pants and took the cash. Smith also went through Koch's purse and took her cell phone. Finally, he pistol whipped her and then ran down the road, Sheriff's spokesman Brandon Haught said.
Once her assailant left, Koch got up and rode her bicycle to the New Smyrna Beach courthouse annex to report to deputies there what had happened.
About the Blogger
Henry Frederick is editor and publisher of Headline Surfer, Florida's 24/7 Internet newspaper in New Smyrna Beach, launched April 7, 2008. Owned by NSB News LLC with Frederick as its sole corporate member, It is also referred by its original name, NSBNews.net and as VolusiaNews.net. Frederick is an award-winning breaking news and investigative journalist who has covered police and courts in Florida, New York, Massachusetts and Connecticut, dating back to the mid-1980s. He has covered many of the high profile cases in the Daytona Beach and DeLand courtrooms in Volusia County, including the numerous appellate hearings for serial killer Aileen Wuornos, and ultimately, witnessing her execution. He graduated from Central Connecticut State University in New Britain in 1984, with a B.A. in political science/public admin. and a minor in writing. He received the "President's Citation" for academic honors and service to the university.
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