APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) – Appleton police say two suspects were arrested for an alleged attack on a man because he didn’t give them cigarettes when asked for one.
Police say they were called around 1:30 a.m. Monday to the intersection of W. College Avenue and S. Superior Street. Officers found a 52-year-old man, initially reported to be unconscious, but was in fact conscious.
Officers spoke with that man and the two others, ages 20 and 15, while one official looked at traffic camera video from the area. The video showed a confrontation between the two suspects and the victim. It showed them kicking and punching the victim, but later asking a city employee to help the man.
An investigation found that both suspects asked the man for cigarettes. When the man refused, they beat the man until he was unconscious and then stole his cigarettes. During a police interview, one of the suspects said they thought they may have killed the victim.
Police also found the victim’s cigarettes in the pocket of one of the suspects.
Police are recommending charges of robbery, battery, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest against 20-year-old Malik Tews. Authorities say the 15-year-old was a runaway, having cut off an electronic monitoring bracelet. Officers are recommending charges of battery and disorderly conduct against him.
The victim received medical attention at the scene and refused further treatment.
