ICYMI: "Midtown Puncher" Suspect Arrested

Atlanta police have confirmed that they have arrested a man that they believe is responsible for attacking random pedestrians in Midtown.

Police spokesman Ralph Woolfolk told Patch on Thursday that Curtis Bethea was taken into custody as the result of an investigation into the “Midtown Puncher,” a man who approached a victim, punched him or her, and continued walking as if nothing had happened. At least four such attacks are known to police.

Midtown Blue, a neighborhood security organization, told WSB-TV that they had a suspect in the attacks, but it is not clear if Bethea was their man.

FOX 5 Atlanta reports that Bethea is well known to local law enforcement, with a rap sheet that features more than 60 arrests; the Midtown-Ponce Security Alliance (MPSA) said on Friday that Bethea had been imprisoned at the Fulton County jail at least 18 times.

Fulton County jail records show that Bethea has been charged with aggravated battery for an offense dated Jan. 14 and battery causing substantial physical harm for an offense dated Jan. 20. Bethea’s bond is set at $7,500.

Atlanta police told WSB-TV that the attacks are different than “knockout” videos which were filmed last year, because the attacker is not being filmed or followed by a group of people.