Man With Autism Robbed, Attacked In Newark; Police Seek Suspects

NEWARK, NJ — Newark police are searching for several people who allegedly robbed and assaulted a 24-year-old victim when he saw them trying to break into a vehicle, authorities announced Wednesday.

The victim, who has autism, was attacked on Saturday, according to the Newark Department of Public Safety. Authorities released the following statement about the robbery:

“Police responded to the incident, which occurred at approximately 4:35 p.m. on the 30-block of Pierce Street, when the victim saw the suspects attempting to break into a vehicle. Suspect #1 choked the victim from behind while suspects #2 and #3 pushed him to the ground, where they went through his pockets. They took the victim’s gym bag containing a JBL speaker and fled southbound on Pierce Street towards Springfield Avenue.”

Police released photos of the suspects (see below), who have reportedly been seen in West Side Park.

Authorities described Suspect #1 as a thin-built male, who was wearing a grey and white camouflage jacket, grey sweatpants and white sneakers. Suspect #2 was described as a male wearing a grey-hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans, and white and red sneakers. Suspect #3 was described as a heavyset female, who was wearing a black shirt and black pants. Suspect #4 was described as a thin-built male, who was wearing a black sweatshirt with a black face mask, blue jeans and red sneakers.

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