Lakeland Police Officer Adam Williams was jogging northbound on Success Avenue at approximately 3:00 PM on July 29, 2010, when he observed several young males crouched and hiding behind a brick wall at Lake Morton. As he got closer, he could hear the suspects counting down. As Officer Willams got even closer, he heard one of the suspects say, “here he comes”, and then “three, two, one, get him!” At this time four young males jumped out from behind the wall and ambushed the victim, Richard Werner (age 20), an adult handicapped person, as he rode his bicycle westbound past their location.
Werner yelled for help and tried to escape as the four young males attacked him. Werner was holding a backpack, and one of the suspects grabbed the backpack and attempted to pull Werner from the bike as the other three were swinging and grabbing at his arms, head and body. Somehow, Werner managed to stay on his bike and continued to try to escape all the while calling for help.
Officer Williams continued running after the group, but before he could catch up to them, a good samaritan, Monica Gonzalez, intervened and placed her vehicle between the suspects and Werner and called police for help. The suspects then fled on foot as Officer Williams continued to monitor their movement and location. Officer Williams located Officer Bart Butler in the area of Massachusetts Avenue and Lake Morton. Together they located the four suspects and placed them under arrest.
All four suspects were charged with Abuse of a Handicapped Person (F3), Battery (M1), and Disorderly Conduct (M2). Those arrested are: Kevonta Isaac (DOB: 6/8/85), Iquan Isaac (DOB: 4/1/94), Kamion Matos (DOB: 9/25/94), Timothy Scott (DOB: 9/22/91.
Werner received minor, non life threatening injuries.
Media inquiries should be directed to Sergeant Terri Smith, 863.834.6917. This information is also posted on www.lpdonlinenews.com.