The Antelope Valley Times

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Driver arrested for running down panhandler in Palmdale

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PALMDALE – A driver was arrested Thursday afternoon for ramming a panhandler with his vehicle following an argument in Palmdale, authorities said.

The incident occurred around 1:15 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 9, near the intersection of 10th Street West and Avenue O-8, according to a news release from the Palmdale Sheriff’s Station.

“Witnesses claimed the driver of a black BMW was involved in an argument outside his car with a panhandler. After the driver re-entered his vehicle, the victim stood in front of the car with his hands on the hood. The driver accelerated, striking the victim who rolled over the hood and onto the street. The driver then fled the location,” the news release states.

A witness provided vehicle information, which led deputies to an address in Palmdale.

The vehicle’s owner, 47-year-old Creg Sullivan of Palmdale, was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon and booked at Palmdale Sheriff’s Station in lieu of $30,000 bail, according to the sheriff’s news release.

“With the help of concerned citizens and the swift actions from the Palmdale Station deputies, a dangerous driver was taken off the streets,” the sheriff’s news release states.

Information on the extent of the victim’s injuries (if any) was not immediately released.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Palmdale Station at 661-272-2400.

19 comments for "Driver arrested for running down panhandler in Palmdale"

  1. Call the Sheriff and tell them he’s acting like he has gun or they’ll never show up, then stay on the line with the 911 operator until deputies arrive.

    If you’re lucky the cops will kill him when they arrive.

    • Bob; Then they will haul you off for calling in a false report in order to have someone killed. Be careful Bob, someone might make a 911 call about you.

  3. Isn’t panhandling illegal some of these people are just ruthless I white they try and get your money if I ran him over to

  5. “…the victim stood in front of the car with his hands on the hood.”

    Probably not a good idea…

  6. I think I would have been on the phone calling the Sheriff’s if this panhandler was blocking me from moving my vehicle, which is why he had his hands on the roof of the car! Obviously, the driver felt that the panhandler was not injured, however, he should have stuck around so the Sheriff’s heard his story of ”why” he had to push this guys hands off his car!! Either way, it’s going to cost this driver…Hopefully the ”panhandler” appears in court too!!

    • I would not be on the phone calling anyone. The guy is putting his hands on the car standing in front of it blocking it from leaving. I passed by that exact spot there used two be two guys that looked like thugs. In my mind I would think they have a gun and I’m about to be robbed. I probably would not have left the scene after but being in that situation not sure how it would have turned out.

  7. This is going to be a very expensive lesson for Greg Sullivan. You don’t get to ram someone with your car and then take off. He is probable going to be sued by the Panhandler.

  8. Blame could go both ways? Look, I’d like to see an ordinance passed that bans panhandling of any kind, but the guy who hit the panhandler should have used more common sense and not let his emotions get the best of him.
    Now, the fellow faces hit and run. Not a good thing.
    If there is a problem panhandler, call the Sheriff Dept, let them handle it.

  9. He wouldn’t take no for an answer you can count on it! And it’s never unusual for just one relentless panhandler to suppress an entire business district. Nobody wants to shop there, and nobody wants to work there either….

  10. No I just think that if you run over any one you should stick around for law enforcement to show up… Not hit and run now his the criminal not the homeless man asking for money

  11. It’s a weird story but than again them pan handlers always wanting people to give than what they want like no go find a job dam it

  12. I think he was justified in running over the POS…..more PC nonsense where the criminals have rights and law abiding citizens don’t…damn shame this is allowed to go on

  13. Why was the so called victim trespassing? Why was he panhandling? Why didn’t he walk away?he was probably harassing and threatening that person for money.

    • Something fishy about this story. Why in the heck would anyone put hands on the hood of someone’s vehicle? Sounds like the panhandler is guilty of attempted kidnapping.