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Tampa carjacking victim leads police to suspects

News Channel 8 photo by ERIC HAUSMANN

Alphonso Coston's head was bandaged after he was pistol-whipped in an attack by two juveniles, Tampa police say.

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By JOSH POLTILOVE | The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 18, 2009

Updated: 06/18/2009 08:43 am

Related Links

• Victim describes chase
• Photos from the scene
• Tables are turned

Matthew A. Rosario-Duran

TAMPA - A carjacking victim turned the tables on his armed attackers when he gave chase in another car, Tampa police said.

Alphonso Coston was at his girlfriend's house in the 1300 block of West Chestnut Street in Tampa about 2 a.m. when someone jumped into his white Acura, police say.

Coston was pistol-whipped, and one attacker rode off in Coston's car while the other attacker ran off, police said.

Coston borrowed his girlfriend's car, called 911 and gave chase, directing police officers to where they could find the car.

The Acura eventually crashed at Dale Mabry Highway and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Matthew A. Rosario-Duran, 17, of Seffner, was taken into custody following a brief foot chase, police said.

Police are looking for the second suspect, also identified as a juvenile.

At the crash scene this morning, Coston said he didn't know his attackers.

"I've never seen them a day in my life," he said. "They were just strangers walking around the projects, and all of a sudden they jumped in my vehicle and I tried to stop them."

Coston said the attackers didn't seem to want anything besides his vehicle.

Following the chase, paramedics bandaged Coston's head. Police described his injury as minor.

"I got superficial wounds to the head, but as far as hanging in there and feeling all right, I'm all right," he said.

Rosario-Duran was taken to a juvenile assessment center. Police say charges against him include carjacking, fleeing to elude and resisting arrest without violence.

News Channel 8 photojournalist Eric Hausmann and assignment editor Roscoe Glisson contributed to this report.

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