Posted on 09/13/2005 8:22:46 AM PDT by Paradox
MIAMI BEACH
Shaq's big assist leads to an arrest
An 18-year-old was arrested on charges of aggravated assault and assault with a deadly weapon, and it's all thanks to Shaquille O'Neal.
cwoods@herald.com
That's Officer Shaq, to you.
Shaquille O'Neal, who is in the process of becoming a reserve officer with the Miami Beach Police Department, helped nab the suspect of a hate crime on South Beach early Sunday, police said.
Two men were walking on Washington Avenue near Third Street about 3 a.m. when two men in a silver Honda yelled anti-gay slurs at them, police said.
One of the men in the car jumped out and tossed a bottle, hitting the victim in the back.
The bottle-thrower then got back into the vehicle and the car sped off.
Witnessing the whole thing?
''Shaquille O'Neal happened to be driving by and saw the incident in progress, and he followed the vehicle until it turned onto Palm Island,'' said police spokesman Robert Hernandez.
``He flagged down the Miami Beach officer on duty there, and the officer was able to apprehend the subject.''
Police arrested Michael Gonzalez, 18, on charges of aggravated assault and assault with a deadly weapon, Hernandez said. Hernandez said Gonzalez has a criminal record. The other man in the car was not identified.
The victim was not seriously injured, Hernandez added.
O'Neal has completed the training to be a reserve officer, but has not taken the state certification exam yet, Hernandez said.
''He should be certified any day now,'' Hernandez said.
``He's already been fitted for a uniform.''
He has already been fitted for a uniform: Man I bet that costs a lot, Shaq cant buy off the rack. I bet uniform shoes in size 15 cost $300 bucks.
I wonder if his contract is voided if he is injured while on duty..
While in LA, the city of Oxnard, CA bought Shaquille an Oxnard PD uniform. He was supposedly honorary PD there.
Shaquille is a good guy, I hope his interest in police work does not lead to an injury or worse. It's a dangerous job and amateurs can make mistakes in sizing up a situation.
Size 15??
Shaq hasn't worn a size 15 since probably 8th grade.
He's a size 23
this reminds me of the movie Police Academy. The big former football player, Bubba someone, who became a cop. Very funny.
Hmm...if a seven-foot 300-lb guy in a police uniform yells "stop!" I'm thinking I'll stop...
where did you get that? He was a member of the Port of Los Angeles PD Reserve
Bubba Smith
I geuss for his shoes they just kill a calf and hollow it out to make room for his feet.
Do a google on Shaq and Oxnard Police.
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