Tampa Police: Group Attacks Man, Tries To Steal Pit Bull

A walk with his 4-month-old pit bull, Jessica, turned tense for a man Tuesday after several men beat him and tried to snatch the dog, police said.

Esteban Cespedes-Comacho, 29, was walking the dog on a leash in the 4900 block of East Busch Boulevard about 8:12 p.m. Tuesday when about six men approached him from behind, Tampa police said.

The men struck Cespedes-Comacho several times with wooden sticks, demanding he give up the dog, police said. They also tried to grab the dog and leash.

Cespedes-Comacho fended off the men, who split up after his repeated refusals, police said.

The dog owner called 911 about 8:18 p.m., and officers arrived within two minutes. Cespedes-Comacho pointed out two men who had attacked him, and they were arrested, police said.

Charged with felony robbery are Calvin Cox, 18, and Michael Patrick, 19, both of Tampa. Both were held at the Orient Road Jail today, Cox on $15,000 bail and Patrick without bail, jail records show.

Police said Cespedes-Comacho suffered minor injuries. The dog was not hurt.