Man assaulted by group of Hispanic teens

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) -- Six teens and a 21-year-old man were arrested after assaulting and robbing a man in New Haven Thursday night.

The incident occurred around 7 p.m., in the area of Spring and Edgar streets.

When officers arrived they found the victim, a 35-year-old New Haven man. He had abrasions to his face and was complaining of general pain to his body.

The man told police he had been walking in the area of Edgar and Spring streets when he realized he was being shadowed by a group of approximately 15 Hispanic teenagers. He said seconds later the group began attacking him. He was kicked and punched to the ground by the group, as they stole his phone, keys and wallet.

The man said the teens, some of whom had ponytails, took off toward Spring Street.

When officers searched the area they spotted a group of around 15 Hispanic teens near the back porch of 64 Spring St. Police said at first the teens seemed cooperative. Then police asked about a few they knew lived there and they were told they weren't there.

However, minutes later they appeared from the second floor. One of them ran outside charging at an officer and screaming racially derogatory profanity. He was placed in handcuffs. Another in the crowd became hostile and was placed in handcuffs as well.

Police were greatly outnumbered and radioed for back up. Police said others in the crowd began fighting with the officers who were holding the handcuffed suspects. Order was regained after additional officers began arrived on the scene.

The victim was able to positively identify seven members of the group as those who attacked and robbed him.

Police said 21-year-old Hector Franco was the only legal adult in the group. The other six were all males from New Haven, ranging in age from 13 to 17 years old.

Most were charged with second-degree robbery, second-degree larceny, and conspiracy to commit those crimes. Some were additionally charged with interfering with police.