A Massachusetts man has been arrested after allegedly robbing a man in a wheelchair, police said.
On Sunday evening, police responded to 950 Main Street in Worcester for a report of an unarmed man in a wheelchair. When officers arrived, they spoke with witnesses who told them that the suspect had approached the victim and began making small talk. Shortly afterward, the suspect began to make demands and hit the victim in the head and shoulders.
The suspect then took the victim's smartphone and cash and ran away.
According to police, officers were able to locate the suspect within minutes. They found him in the area of Main Street and Claremont Street.
The suspect was later identified by police as Juan Santiago, 45, of Worcester.
While officers were questioning Santiago, someone called the number of the phone that was stolen. A phone in his pocket began to ring, and the victim's phone was recovered.
Santiago was identified by a witness and placed under arrest, police said.
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According to police, Santiago screamed insults at the man in the wheelchair while waiting to be transported to the police station.
Santiago is charged with assault and battery of a disabled person with injury, unarmed robbery and intimidation of a witness.
It is unclear if Santiago has an attorney.
He will be arraigned in Worcester District Court.
