Man Assaults 2 Victims, Tries To Steal Car In Phoenixville: Cops

PHOENIXVILLE, PA — A Phoenixville man who had been released on parole in December was arrested after beating two victims and attempting steal a car, according to police.

The incident occurred at around 6:07 p.m. on Jan. 15, police said. Authorities first responded to a home on the 200 block of St. Mary's Street, where the suspect, Leali Earl Perkins, 29, had become violent during an argument with his 58-year-old mother and 75-year-old stepfather, police said.

Perkins shoved both of them during the argument, and officers issued him a summons for harassment.

However, just 50 minutes later, Perkins strolled down the street to the 200 block of High Street and decided to steal a car, police said.

He smashed the driver's side window, got into the car, and began to hot wire it, according to authorities.

While he was doing this, one of the owners of the car, a 37-year-old Phoenixville man, got into the passenger's seat, unaware that the car was being stolen.

Perkins then began beating the passenger, demanding the keys, and eventually put him in a choke hold, police said.

The victim's stepfather, 58, of West Chester, attempted to stop Perkins, but Perkins punched him in the face and knocked him out, police said.

Police arrived on the scene and Perkins fled. However, on Wednesday, Perkins showed up for a scheduled meeting with his parole officer and was taken into custody. He faces charges of assault and robbery and was remanded to Graterford State Prison.

A preliminary hearing is forthcoming.

Image via Phoenixville Police Department