3 Teens Accused Of Violently Assaulting, Robbing Man With Intellectual Disability In Brookline
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - Three teens are accused of violently assaulting and robbing a man with an intellectual disability in Brookline.
Pittsburgh Police say a detective was investigating a robbery that happened on Oct. 26 just before 1 a.m. in front of the Moonlite Cafe on the 500 block of Brookline Boulevard.
According to the criminal complaint, Moonlite Cafe's surveillance footage showed the victim, a 38-year-old man, standing in front of the restaurant when three younger males approached him.
Police accuse 19-year-old Abdullaah Francken of throwing the first punch, striking the victim in the face twice and knocking him to the ground.
Surveillance footage then shows Francken and two other teens allegedly punching, stomping and kicking the victim in the head and face area multiple times before robbing him and running away with his belongings down Brookline Boulevard.
The detective spoke with the victim and his mother, who advised police her son had an intellectual disability.
The victim said that the teens took his Ninja Turtle wallet with his identification and his keys. He was taken to a local hospital and police say he needed six staples to close the wound on his head.
Police say there were also two other males who watched the assault.
"We want Brookline to be safe because if (it's) not safe, we lose business," said Pitaland owner Joseph Chahine.
Joseph Chahine's business on Brookline Boulevard, Pitaland, has been around nearly 50 years. However, when crimes occur along his street, he gets concerned.
"We need the police to catch anybody doing something bad. That's out of protection to the community and to the business," said Chahine.
Chahine said more police have been spotted in the area lately.
"I see their car, I see some policemen walking here the whole time, but what can you do," said Chahine.
Francken was arrested. He's facing multiple charges, including aggravated assault, robbery and corruption of minors.
The two other teens, a 16-year-old and a 17-year-old, have also been arrested.
Stay with KDKA.com for the latest on this developing story.