Man followed car that scraped his in Buckhead — then he was sucker-punched

Rene Valentin has staples and a metal plate in his hand after the encounter.

Rene Valentin has staples and a metal plate in his hand after the encounter.

What started with his car being sideswiped near Lenox Mall has left a father with staples and a metal plate in his hand.

Rene Valentin told Channel 2 Action News on Friday that a dark-colored Nissan Maxima with a Louisiana license plate got impatient and swiped his car’s bumper the weekend before Thanksgiving. He followed the car for a block and a half before they pulled over near Lenox and Peachtree roads.

Rene Valentin's car was only slightly scraped, but a fight afterward will lead to a long recovery. (Photo: Channel 2 Action News)

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They both got out — and that’s when Valentin said he was assaulted.

“He completely sucker-punched me and tried his best to take me down and did take me down,” Valentin told Channel 2. “He was trying his best to knock me out so he could leave the scene and flee.”

While his car was not seriously damaged, the fight left Valentin with no movement in the fingers on his left hand, the news station reported.

Valentin, who installs security camera systems for a living, spotted a police box with a license plate reader camera at the intersection where he was attacked.

Atlanta police told Channel 2 they have a good lead because of it. They are still investigating and trying to track down the car and driver.

Anyone with information is asked to contact CrimeStoppers at 404-577-8477 or online at www.StopCrimeATL.com. Tips can be sent anonymously. Information that leads to an arrest and indictment in this investigation can earn tipsters up to $2,000.

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