Residents help police nab man accused of attacking woman

KENNETH CITY -- Police have arrested a man they say tried to rob a 74-year-old woman this evening as she waited at a bus stop.

Police say Josephine Rodgers of Clearwater was waiting for a ride near 66th Street N and 46th Avenue after leaving work at Sweetbay when Darrell L. Johnson, 26, of St. Petersburg approached her about 5:45 p.m.

Johnson made several "obscene" comments to Rodgers and tried to grab her purse, police said. When he couldn't get that, he grabbed her grocery bag, which broke open. Johnson picked up a bottle of bleach and threw it at Rodgers, who tried to get away. The man pushed the woman to the ground and kicked her.

The attack didn't go unnoticed.

Several motorists saw it and stopped, police said, including three people who tackled Johnson outside Fray's Donut House at 4419 66th St. while others stayed with Rodgers. A patrol officer saw Johnson being chased across the nearby Kmart parking lot and took him into custody.

An ambulance took Rodgers to St. Petersburg General Hospital, where he was undergoing tests, police said.

Johnson was booked into the Pinellas County Jail on charges of robbery, battery on the elderly and battery on a law enforcement officer.Johnson received additional battery charges for spitting on an officer, according to police.

Kameel Stanley, Times Staff Writer

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Comments

[Kaos]

While most people wont get directly involved ....... crimminals are wearing our patience thin. I think you will see more of this as crime continues to get worse.

[Patrick Rodgers]

Jo is my mother and I just want to say THANK YOU to the people that stopped to help my mother. She is an amazing woman and I owe you folks alot. Once again THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart.

Patrick Rodgers

[Dawn]

Kaos I sincerely hope that you are right. It's time for people to stop burying their heads in the sand. And Patrick I'm so happy that your Mom is going to be ok and I hope this creep goes to jail for a long long time. Blessings to your family.

[hiddencambiz]

THIS IS A SHAME AND I WOULD LIKE TO HELP WOMEN TO PROTECT THEMSELVES..EMAIL ME TODAY AT HIDDENCAMBIZ@YAHOO.COM

[Oh No it's MONGO]

http://www.pcsoweb.com/pages/who_jail.html UUUM let me get this straight, this article cant be real!!! Are you trying to tell me a 26 year old man that refuses to even work , Would even have the nerve to rob a ""74"" year old woman that was just getting off work??? What is wrong with this picture??? And to top it off according to his latest of 6 recent arrests, He is 320 pounds!!! WHAT??????? 320 pounds?? Let me guess, Is he on disability for being obese? What a P.O.S.

[tammy]

Thank-you seems like such a small word for such a heroic act. Jo is my mom, yes she is a 74 year old woman who has worked hard everyday of her life, not only in the workplace but also at home as a mom to 6 & a grammy to 9. These people took time to get involved, to help a stranger, to possibly save my mothers life. i dont know who you are but god bless you for stepping in, our family will be forever greatful. As for the maggot who decided my mom was an easy target, your day will come & when it does i pray NO one is there to help you. bet your mommas proud

[Here we go again]

Patrick and Tammy, I'm glad that your mom is okay. I'm sure that she, and your entire family, are still shaken up with what this animal did to her. Thank goodness that the onlookers were there for her. I hope that y'all can put this in the past soon.

Now, about the thug, punk, idiot, h8tr, whatever you want to call this PO$, hopefully he'll get what he rightfully deserves. If you act like an animal, you deserve to be caged like an animal. That's what he is.... an animal. Period.

[DeathMetalShawn]

I know this lady. I worked with her years ago. She was a very kind person then, as I'm sure she is now. I hope that guy gets his just desserts.

[mrknowitall]

Thats what I love about karma. Firm believer in it.. The day will come when this loser in life tries his tough act on the wrong person. Only can hope he don't die that fast, but has enough time for thoughts to run through his mind about what a loser in life he was, how not wanting to get a job and be self supporting turned him into a pos. How proud his momma must be.

[LINDA CAWLEY]

i just want to thank everyone that helped my mom last night this world is full of mean people and it's nice to know that there are some good people left in this world again thanks to all that got involved.

[Steve_Net]

HIDDENCAMBIZ,
Thanks for taking a near-tragedy and turning it into a marketing ploy. If a person is injured, do you try to sell them temporary wheelchair ramps?

[Sign]

yeah, help the women, if you need to pinch the *&^% out of the attacker's esophagus

[Grant Cameron]

wish i could have helped kick him