Ahmedabad: A 32-year-old Gujarati-origin store owner was arrested in West Melbourne, Florida, after he allegedly intentionally struck a 14-year-old boy with his vehicle and left him critically injured on the roadside without seeking medical help, police said.The incident came to light around 4.30am on Oct 13, when West Melbourne police officers were dispatched to the Corner Store at 1100 S Wickham Road following a report of a possible burglary.Kavan Patel, the store owner, told officers that his alarm company had alerted him to a break-in. He said he checked the shop’s CCTV footage and saw that the front glass door had been broken and a man wearing a light-coloured hoodie leaving the area on an electric bicycle.Officers from the Brevard County Sheriff’s office and the Melbourne police department joined the search for the suspected burglar. A police dog unit and a drone unit were also deployed.During the search, an officer found a man matching the description lying beside a road. He appeared to have been struck by a vehicle. The 14-year-old boy was rushed to a local hospital in critical condition.Detectives subsequently determined that Patel had allegedly chased the teenager and struck him intentionally with his vehicle, left the scene and returned to his store, according to a police department statement.Police said Patel did not disclose his involvement to officers who initially responded to the burglary report. He revealed his alleged role only after detectives confronted him with their findings.The teenager remained on the roadside for nearly an hour without medical assistance because Patel had allegedly failed to stop and help him or notify law enforcement, police said.Patel was charged with aggravated battery and leaving the scene of a crash involving great bodily injury. He is being held at the Brevard County jail without bond.
