A Reading, Pennsylvania high school student was beaten unconscious by a half-dozen of his fellow students in the school and robbed of his sneakers and cellphone, city police said in a criminal complaint.
One of the assailants, identified as 18-year-old Leonardo A. Matute, was detained by security personnel before being arrested by patrol officers who responded to the school on a report of an assault.
Matute was charged with robbery, aggravated assault and related offenses. He was committed to Berks County Prison in lieu of $75,000 bail to await a hearing following arraignment before District Judge David. L. Yoch in Reading Central Court.
According to the probable cause affidavit:
The incident took place Wednesday shortly after 9:30 a.m. in the first-floor hallway. A witness identified Matute as one of the assailants.
Security camera footage shows Matute approaching the victim who was among a group of students standing against the wall. As Matute approaches, the victim is seen falling to the floor and quickly surrounded by the six assailants who kick him about his body and head.
The footage shows two of the assailants removing the victim’s Jordan 12 sneakers as he lay unconscious.
The six assailants run out of view of the camera.
The victim was taken by ambulance to Reading Hospital.
Stolen besides his sneakers, valued at $300, was the victim’s cellphone, valued at $500.
It was unclear if the other assailants, believed to be juveniles, were taken into custody.
Hits: 0
