WEST MELBOURNE, Fla. — A 32-year-old store owner was arrested Tuesday morning in West Melbourne after police said he intentionally struck a 14-year-old boy with his vehicle following a reported burglary, leaving the teenager critically injured on the side of the road.
Officers responded around 4:30 a.m. to the Corner Store at 1100 S. Wickham Road after receiving a report of a burglary in progress.
Police said Patel told officers, who arrived within four minutes, that an alert from his security company indicated the store’s front glass door had been smashed. Surveillance video allegedly showed a male wearing a light-colored hoodie riding away on an electric bicycle.
Officers from the West Melbourne Police Department, Brevard County Sheriff’s Office and Melbourne Police Department searched for the suspect.
During that search, officers found the 14-year-old lying along the roadside with severe injuries. Emergency responders transported the teenager to a local hospital in critical condition.
Detectives later determined Patel intentionally struck the teenager with his vehicle before returning to the store, according to police.
Investigators said Patel concealed the crash from officers during their initial response and only admitted his involvement after being confronted by detectives.
Because Patel allegedly failed to stop, render aid or notify authorities, the injured teenager remained on the roadside for nearly an hour before being found, police said.
Kavan Vishnubhai Patel, owner of the Corner Store on South Wickham Road, was charged with aggravated battery and leaving the scene of a crash involving great bodily injury.
According to West Melbourne Police Lt. Graig Erenstoft, Patel is being held without bond in the Brevard County Jail.
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