An 18-year-old man has been arrested following a home invasion during which a 9-year-old boy called 911 as the suspects beat his father, police said.
Police arrested Luis Morales, who was still in the front yard of the residence when they arrived. A second suspect is at large.
The incident happened on the 10000 block of Highland Avenue in Tampa around 8 p.m. Tuesday. Police say two men knocked on the victim's front door and inquired about his ice cream truck that was parked in the front yard.
The suspects eventually forced their way into the house and began to beat the victim, according to police. They took out handguns and tied up the victim.
Police say the victim’s 9-year-old son, Desmond Pringley, called 911 and provided descriptions of the suspects.
The boy grabbed a phone, ducked behind a couch and whispered to a 911 operator- all undetected by the suspects.
Pringley says he did what his family taught him to do. "If something bad happens, always call the police,” he said.
The fourth grader said the 911 operator answered fast. "He asked me if they had weapons,” he said. “Or if I knew them.”
Neighbor John Champion watched the scene unfold from his house next door. "You only see these kinds of things in the movies," he said. Champion believes Desmond saved the day. "I think he's a true hero ... a very smart kid."
Thanks to his 911 call, police rushed to the home and caught one of the two armed robbers.
The boy’s dad suffered a black eye, bumps and bruises in the attack. He was taken to a local hospital and released Tuesday night. He is expected to make a full recovery.