Police arrest suspect in Gallery beating
A 27-year-old Philadelphia man was arrested and charged in connection with last week's beating of an 83-year-old man in a restroom at The Gallery at Market East shopping mall.
A 27-year-old Philadelphia man was arrested and charged in connection with last week's beating of an 83-year-old man in a restroom at The Gallery at Market East shopping mall.
Joseph Peruto, of the 700 block of N. 66th Street, was picked up around 1:30 a.m. Saturday by officers who were serving various bench warrants in the 300 block of N. Simpson Street. The officers observed Peruto - who was not yet identified as a suspect - as he tried to escape through the rear of a rowhome. Police perceived that he was "acting nervous" and stopped him. When he was questioned, he blurted out "something about the Gallery," said Sgt. Ray Evers, a police spokesman.
Peruto was then interviewed by Central Detectives at the station and charged with robbery, aggravated assault, theft, reckless endangering and conspiracy.
Two other men are still being sought in the attack, which occurred last Wednesday. The three men robbed John Gabel of $50 after assaulting him while he was alone in the restroomof the shopping complex at Market and 9th Streets in center city, Evers said.
- Jan Hefler
