HARRISBURG, Pa. – A Harrisburg man and woman and a 12 year old boy face charges following an assault with a bat of a couple who were attempting to resolve a dispute between them. Last Saturday, August 1 at about 10:46 pm. Harrisburg City Police responded to Harrisburg Hospital where a man and a woman were being treated after an assault.
Upon arrival the male victim, told police that he had been sitting in a vehicle on the 2000 block of Zarker Street waiting for his girlfriend, the second victim, when he was approached by Josue Rivera-Benitez, 25, who immediately started swinging a bat at him. The victim was not injured during this incident because the bat struck the vehicle.
Neighbors saw what was happening and came to assist the victim. Rivera-Benitez then left the area. The victims told police that Rivera-Benitez was upset that they made Latasha Twyman’s 12 year son, walk home earlier while they were babysitting.
The victims had gone to the 1900 block of Briggs to talk to Twyman and Rivera-Benitez to resolve the issue. They were confronted by Rivera-Benitez who began striking the male victim with a bat all over his body. During one of the strikes Rivera-Benitez broke the victim’s arm.
While Rivera-Benitez was beating the victim with the bat, Twyman began to strike him as well with her hands and feet. Twyman then told her son to go get a shovel and to hit the male victim. The son did get the shovel and he too allegedly hit the victim. The female victim tried to intervene and was attacked by Twyman with closed fists.
Neighbors along the block saw what was happening, intervened and stopped the three from attacking the victims.
On Tueday morning just after midnight officers attempted to serve an arrest warrant for Rivera-Benitez, Twyman, and her son. Twyman and her son were taken into custody without incident. Rivera-Benitez fled out onto the second floor roof and attempted to hide from police. He was taken into custody and brought into the building.
Charges against Rivera-Benitez include Corruption of Minors, Conspiracy-Aggravated Assault, Flight to Avoid Apprehension, and Criminal Trespass. He is being held at Dauphin County Prison on $175,000 bail. Twyman is charged with Corruption of Minors, Conspiracy-Aggravated Assault. Her bail is $125,000.
The 12 year old juvenile is charged with Simple Assault.0