Man is punched, bitten by suspected car burglar

Deputies say a car theft victim fought with the suspected thief who punched and bit him in an attempt to get away before law enforcement arrived.

Michael Leonard, 19, is charged with battery, burglary of conveyance, resisting an officer without violence and is in violation of his probation after a man caught him in his car Friday morning and tackled him to the ground when Leonard attempted to flee, according to a Hernando County Sheriff's Office Report.

The man told deputies that Leonard punched him in the face and bit him while the two wrestled on the ground. He then released Leonard and went to seek help from an off-duty police officer who lives nearby while Leonard stayed close attempting to recover items he dropped, which were scattered during the scuffle, the report showed.

Those items included a plastic cell phone clip, a plastic knob, iPod, sunglasses and $7.36 in coins. Responding deputies arrived and also had to take Leonard to the ground and eventually place him in leg restraints after he later kicked the windows of the squad car. He told deputies he was walking nearby when the car owner attacked him.

Although no items were taken from the vehicle, deputies determined that Leonard had been inside and lifted the center console to rummage through. They also dusted for prints on and around the car.

Deputies also learned he was on probation for a misdemeanor DUI.

Leonard was taken to Hernando County Jail and his bond was set at $4,000.