Five arrests after Jersey City man robbed and brutalized by teens playing "knockout"

Wednesday, January 19, 2011
By MICHAELANGELO CONTE
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

A Hoboken man and four boys ages 12 to 15 have been charged with attacking a man Monday night in Jersey City on Cottage Street near Summit Avenue as part of a vicious game of "knockout," officials said yesterday.

"The purpose of the game is to hit people and knock them out," the police report on the incident said, quoting one of those arrested.

The 25-year-old Jersey City man who was attacked told police he was walking to the PATH station around 9:20 p.m. when he was shoved to the ground by five males who snatched his phone from his hand and began kicking and punching him, reports said. He began screaming for help, but the robbers continued beating him for a while before running away, reports said.

Police spotted five suspects at Pavonia Avenue and Chestnut Street and the victim identified them as his attackers, reports said, adding that they had the stolen phone.

Jesus Montalvo, 19, of Fifth Street in Hoboken, was arrested on robbery charges, reports said. Also charged with robbery were a 13-year-old Franklin Street boy and a 14-year-old boy and a 15-year-old boy from Thorne Street, all from Jersey City, as well as a 12-year-old Irvington boy, reports said.

Montalvo told cops the group decided to play "knockout," reports said. He said the boys spotted the victim and decided to knock him out, but that he stayed behind because he did not want to be involved, reports said.

Montalvo said he walked away when he saw the boys knock the victim down and begin punching and kicking him, reports said. The Hoboken man said the boys met up with him after the attack, reports said.

The victim suffered minor cuts and abrasions to his face but refused medical attention, reports said.

The attack follows attacks by teens in three separate robberies in Jersey City on Sunday.