MISHAWAKA — A 39-year-old man was arrested Friday night after he allegedly punched three boys he accused of stealing and eating his pizza.
According to police reports, the boys (ages 12, 12 and 13) were given money by the 39-year-old man, a resident of California who was visiting at one of the boy's homes, to go to a nearby pizza restaurant and purchase two pizzas. The boys told police they were under the impression that they were allowed to eat one of the pizzas, and to bring the second to the 39-year-old.
When they returned with only one pizza, the boys told police, the 39-year-old became angry. The man then allegedly punched one boy in the chest, knocking him down and causing him to cry, then punched another in the back — in both cases leaving marks that police could see when they arrived on scene. The third boy reported receiving only a glancing blow.
When questioned by police, the suspect allegedly said he hit the youths because he thought they had stolen from him.
Police arrested the man and took him to the St. Joseph County Jail on charges of battery.
According to police reports, the boys (ages 12, 12 and 13) were given money by the 39-year-old man, a resident of California who was visiting at one of the boy's homes, to go to a nearby pizza restaurant and purchase two pizzas. The boys told police they were under the impression that they were allowed to eat one of the pizzas, and to bring the second to the 39-year-old.
When they returned with only one pizza, the boys told police, the 39-year-old became angry. The man then allegedly punched one boy in the chest, knocking him down and causing him to cry, then punched another in the back — in both cases leaving marks that police could see when they arrived on scene. The third boy reported receiving only a glancing blow.
When questioned by police, the suspect allegedly said he hit the youths because he thought they had stolen from him.
Police arrested the man and took him to the St. Joseph County Jail on charges of battery.
