2 Kids Charged in “Catch and Wreck” Attacks

Boy and girl arrested in connection with violent street game

Police arrested an 11-year-old boy on charges of assault for allegedly attacking a woman at a playground last week.

Police also accused the boy of beating a 73-year-old man in a separate incident, all part of a disturbing game local kids told police they call “Catch and Wreck” in Southwest Philadelphia.

Authorities charged the 11-year-old on Monday with counts including aggravated assault, conspiracy and robbery. A 12-year-old girl is already charged in the attack of Belinda Moore.

Police say the kids were part of a group that surrounded and attacked Moore Friday night, punching her and beating her with sticks.

Investigators say neighborhood kids told them the attack was part of a random-assault game, where they look for people they think are homeless to beat and rob for fun.

Police say they plan to charge the 11-year-old in a similar assault on March 13 in which 73-year-old Vincent Poppa was attacked. That victim is hospitalized after suffering a heart attack during the assault.

Philadelphia Police Lt. John Walker told the Inquirer that police in other parts of the city have never heard of “Catch and Wreck.”

"We're just hoping it's isolated and that [these arrests] will quickly bring it to a halt," he told the Inquirer.
 

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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