An Austin teenager claimed to have been attacked by five or six other males at the skating park along Hormel Century Parkway.

Tuesday, October 10, 2000

An Austin teenager claimed to have been attacked by five or six other males at the skating park along Hormel Century Parkway.

According to an Austin Police Department, the 16-year-old juvenile said the attack may have been a case of "mistaken identity."

It happened near 7:45 p.m. Monday and the youth suffered punches to the face. He was not hospitalized, but will require an orthodontist’s examination.

The youth gave police a description of his assailants and three juvenile males, believed to have had a part in the attack, were apprehended later Monday in an alley behind 807 1/2 Fifth Ave. NE.

One of the juveniles was cited for minor consumption, and the investigation into the attack continues, according to police.

Driver flees scene

LANSING – A Mower County Sheriff’s Department Deputy thought it was odd when he stopped a vehicle for speeding and the driver took off running away from the scene leaving three passengers behind.

When the driver, Taverius Dontae Pitchford of Minneapolis, was later found hiding in a barn, the deputy discovered the reason why he fled the scene.

Pitchford is accused of driving a stolen vehicle from Mel Saxton’s Austin Ford.

He also was charged with obstructing legal process, driving after revocation and speeding.

The traffic stop occurred along U.S. Highway 218 North near the County 45 intersection at 10:30 p.m. Sunday.

When the deputy checked with the Austin dealership Monday morning, they discovered the vehicle had been taken sometime over the weekend.

The vehicle was returned undamaged and three juvenile passengers riding with Pitchford were released.

Pitchford remains in the Mower County Jail, pending a court appearance.