Freeze-frame: Moped-wanting thief fires at South Bend man

Ask South Bend resident Tim Gramza and he’ll say yes, especially if the moped belongs to his 70-year-old friend. The moped is his friend’s only means of transportation. The friend previously owned a moped … but it was stolen.

Gramza says it's only by the grace of God he’s alive to recount this story and share video of the suspect. The video came from Gramza’s recently installed surveillance system to protect his woodworking shop.

If you recognize the shooter in the video, call Michiana Crime Stoppers at 574-288-STOP (7867) or CLICK HERE to access Crime Stoppers' web site

• UPDATE from the South Bend Tribune (Thursday, April 12, 2012):

South Bend Police say there are closing in on making an arrest of a suspect who attempted to a rob Tim Gramza of a moped.

South Bend Detective Sgt. Gene Eyster said police have received numerous calls and have a named suspect. Police did not release his name Thursday because he is a juvenile.

In return for the suspect shooting at Gramza, he shot back at the suspect … several times … but missed each time, noting he was shooting at the suspect to scare him.

This incident occurred in broad daylight behind Gramza’s house on Harrison Avenue in South Bend. Though Gramza said the incident seemed “like slow motion,” it actually took less than 2 minutes.

“Thank God he missed me. The Lord was with me. I thank God every day,” Gramza said.

He worries others may not be as lucky as he was and hopes the video prompts someone who recognizes the suspect to call Michiana Crime Stoppers.

“I want the guy caught and off the street before he kills somebody."