A man with the nickname “Wild Child” was arrested in connection to an armed robbery where a man was beaten with a shotgun and a rock in Lake Worth Beach.
The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO) said its Robbery unit responded to a 911 call at around 11:30 p.m. on October 16 to a report of an armed robbery. The victim was transported to St. Mary’s Medical Center with serious injuries. While in the hospital, medical staff noted that the victim needed several staples and stitches on the top of the head following the attack.
According to the probable cause affidavit, despite the victim being “under the influence of an unknown substance” while hospitalized, enough information was gathered to identify Gerald Smith as the suspect.
The victim told investigators he confronted Smith, known as “Wild Child”, for allegedly messing with his girlfriend and taking her crack pipe. They argued, but the victim left and returned to his spot at 17th Avenue S. and S. Dixie Highway. Later, Smith allegedly returned and approached the victim with a shotgun, they exchanged words, and then the suspect attacked him, hitting him with the shotgun and striking him in the head with a rock multiple times. The PBSO report stated that the victim fell to the ground, and the suspect stole $20 from his pocket before fleeing.
PBSO stated that Smith was found at his residence on Wingfield Street, fitting the description provided by the victim and bearing the tattoo “Wild Child.” Based on the evidence, probable cause was established for Smith’s arrest. The 43-year-old was booked into the Palm Beach County Jail on November 4, for robbery with a deadly weapon and petit theft.
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Source: cbs12
