WREX.com – Rockford’s News LeaderYoung Adults Attacking People Around Rockford

Young Adults Attacking People Around Rockford

By Samantha Ptashkin

ROCKFORD-  Rockford Police investigate different incidents involving a group of young adults who allegedly attack people on the streets.

Police arrested two minors involved in a group attack against two different men. These men were not homeless.  But one victim who uses services at the Rockford Rescue Mission and didn't want to share his name, says people in his same situation are also targets.

The victim says, "while I was concentrating on one group, the other group slid over and punched me square in the ear." He immediately fled on his bike and was treated the next day. "I went to the hospital, ended up having to get a tetanus shot and an anti-biotic because they cut my ear, they don't know if he had a knife a screw driver, a ring."

Rescue Mission worker Bill Feffer says his clients tell him they've also been attacked by young adults on the streets recently. Sometimes the attackers want money, but this isn't always the motive. "It seemed to be sport because they descend on somebody, beat the tar out of them and take off as fast as they descended on them," says Feffer.

"I wonder how they're raised. At my age we wouldn't have thought of messing with an older person," says the victim.

The attacks happened mainly on the west side of downtown Rockford. Police don't have an explanation for the attacks, but they have increased security in the downtown area.