A Schuylkill County man faces simple assault charges after police say he repeatedly punched a man inside a Pottsville restaurant because he thought the victim was interested in him romantically.
Michael Baker, 18, of Pottsville, is charged with misdemeanor simple assault and summary harassment following an incident around 6 p.m. at Roma Pizza on Aug. 10.
Police say they responded to the restaurant for a reported assault, where employees directed them to a man sitting in a booth holding a bag of ice to his head.
The victim told police that Baker approached him inside the restaurant, accused him of “talking sh**,” and began punching him repeatedly while he was sitting in a booth, breaking his necklace. Police say they observed pieces of the necklace on the floor in the area where the alleged altercation occurred.
Restaurant staff told police they had to physically pull Baker off the victim, after which Baker fled the restaurant.
Police say the victim had bruised bumps on his forehead, redness and bruising on his right cheek, redness and bruising on the left side of his face, and scratches behind his ear and on his neck.
Later that evening, police located and interviewed Baker. According to police, Baker initially admitted to assaulting the victim. Baker told officers he was upset because the victim was romantically interested in him – a feeling Baker did not reciprocate – and was allegedly telling people they were involved. Baker said when he walked over to confront the victim, the victim remained silent and smirked, which angered Baker and led him to physically attack the victim.
Baker is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Oct. 5 before Magisterial District Judge James Reiley.
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