More Assaults Reported Downtown

A man walking home from the train station at about 10:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 28, was assaulted by a group of four juveniles, who took his wallet and cell phone near West South Orange Avenue near Briar Court. Police responded to a report of a fight, but three of the minors had fled before they arrived. The fourth, a 15-year-old Maplewood resident, stayed to fight with the man and was taken into custody. A follow-up investigation by Det. Mark Garrett led to the arrest of two 15-year-olds from South Orange and another 15-year-old from Maplewood. 

In addition to the assault of a JESPY House resident near the flagpole at South Orange and Irvington avenues on Saturday, The Local reported two additional downtown assaults: that of a 13-year-old girl in Spiotta Park on Sunday, July 18, and a 17-year-old male employee of Village Diner, who was accosted on Irvington Avenue near Prospect Street on Saturday, July 25.