A Florida man is accused of stealing money from a man in a wheelchair before pushing the victim into oncoming traffic, injuring his chihuahua in the process.
Sonny Abreu, who the Orlando Sentinel reports is a "known gang member," has been charged with attempted murder, robbery, abuse of a disabled adult, petty theft and animal cruelty.
Jose Mojica de la Rosa, who has used a motorized wheelchair for the past 10 years as a result of muscular dystrophy and a stroke, was withdrawing $240 from a gas station ATM at about 7 p.m. Saturday, WFTV reported.
A witness, who says he once served time with Abreu, was talking with Abreu near the ATM. The witness told deputies that Abreu asked him for assistance robbing Mojica de la Rosa, but he refused.
Abreu allegedly pushed Mojica out of his wheelchair and onto the highway, according to a news release from the Osceola County Sheriff's Office.
Mojica had been carrying his dog, a 9-month-old chihuahua named Lola, on his lap. The report states that the wheelchair fell on top of the carrier, injuring Lola.
Additionally, Mojica told WESH, Lola had tried to defend him, and Abreu kicked her.
"I was scared," Mojica told WFTV. "I have no family here, and this dog is my only family."
The man was assisted by passersby and survived the incident unharmed. Lola is being treated for a broken leg.
Abreu allegedly fled the scene with Mojica's wallet, but deputies tracked him down and arrested him Wednesday.