Sparta Man Accused of Head-Butting, Punching Teen Outside Convenience Store

A Sparta man is lodged in jail on $50,000 bail for allegedly assaulting a 17-year-old outside a convenience store over the weekend, Sgt. John-Paul Beebe said.

Police were called during the early hours of Sunday morning when a Sparta family’s son, 17, came home from a quick trip to 7-11 with lacerations to his face, Beebe said.

The teen and two friends, who were staying at the victim’s home, went to the convenience store around 2 a.m. Sunday, Beebe said. While there, a man emerged from a parked car and confronted the victim on the sidewalk, Beebe said.

Witnesses at the scene said Frank Kane, 26, of Sparta, asked the victim why he was staring at Kane, Beebe said.

Without being provoked, Kane then allegedly head-butted the teen and punched him in the face, Beebe said. Occupants from the vehicle Kane was in pulled him from the victim and the group fled the scene, Beebe said.

Kane was tracked down Monday afternoon at his place of work in Jefferson Township and charged with aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of a child. He is being held in Sussex County Jail in lieu of $50,000 bail with no 10-percent option. Additional charges are pending and the investigation is ongoing.

The victim required stitches on his nose and inside his mouth, Beebe said.

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Photo Courtesy Sparta Township Police Department.