Police: 26-year-old arrested for punching two children in Williamsburg

An arrest was made in connection with a violent attack on two children at the Bushwick Houses.

News 12 Staff

Jan 9, 2019, 11:00 AM

Updated 1,927 days ago

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Police: 26-year-old arrested for punching two children in Williamsburg
An arrest was made in connection with a violent attack on two children at the Bushwick Houses.
Police tell News 12 it was a tip from the community that led them to the suspect, a 26-year-old homeless man who was arrested about a quarter of a mile away from where it happened.
Police say someone called after seeing the surveillance video on TV.
Investigators tell News 12 they believe the man in the video is 26-year-old Charles Matthews.
He's charged with three counts of assault, endangering the welfare of a child and criminal possession of a weapon.
Around 7 a.m. Tuesday, investigators say a 16-year-old girl and her 9-year-old brother were standing in the lobby of 869 Flushing Ave. waiting for the bus when a man they say was acting strange, pacing and talking to himself came inside.
They say suddenly, the man walked up to them and punched them both in the head.
News 12 spoke to the children Tuesday night, but are not revealing their identities
Both children were treated at the hospital and released.


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