Police: Cyclist Mistaken For Thief, Rammed By Van

Wed September 02 2009
Posted Sep 2, 2009
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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. A minivan driver struck a cyclist who he mistakenly thought had stolen his son's bike, police said Tuesday. Police said Timothy Hombs was driving his Dodge Caravan near the intersection of Palmer Park Boulevard and Wooten Road at about 2 p.m. Monday, when he spotted a bicycle that he thought belonged to his son. "He believed the bike had been stolen and he intentionally struck the victim who was riding the bike," a police report stated. The cyclist, who was not identified, suffered minor leg injuries when he was hit but didn't require hospitalization. Investigators said after Hombs got out of the minivan and approached the cyclist, he was punched by the cyclist who feared he would be hit again. Hombs suffered minor injuries to his face as a result of being hit. He was arrested on suspicion of second-degree assault. A woman who answered Hombs' phone on Tuesday said he didn't want to speak to a reporter. Police said the bicycle didn't belong to Hombs' son.