(no subject)

[heidi]

Shaquille O'Neal, who is in the process of becoming a reserve officer with the Miami Beach Police Department, helped nab the suspect of a hate crime on South Beach early Sunday, police said.

Two men were walking on Washington Avenue near Third Street about 3 a.m. when two men in a silver Honda yelled anti-gay slurs at them, police said.

One of the men in the car jumped out and tossed a bottle, hitting the victim in the back.

The bottle-thrower then got back into the vehicle and the car sped off.

Witnessing the whole thing?

''Shaquille O'Neal happened to be driving by and saw the incident in progress, and he followed the vehicle until it turned onto Palm Island,'' said police spokesman Robert Hernandez.

``He flagged down the Miami Beach officer on duty there, and the officer was able to apprehend the subject.''

Police arrested Michael Gonzalez, 18, on charges of aggravated assault and assault with a deadly weapon, Hernandez said. Hernandez said Gonzalez has a criminal record. The other man in the car was not identified.

The victim was not seriously injured, Hernandez added.

O'Neal has completed the training to be a reserve officer, but has not taken the state certification exam yet, Hernandez said.

''He should be certified any day now,'' Hernandez said.

``He's already been fitted for a uniform.''


Also, happy birthday folk! And oooooh, wait 'til everyone coming to the FA Room of Requirement sees the ickle prezzies we have for all of you!