Berks County Police say a social media stir led to the attack of an innocent man by a group of vigilantes. Investigators say the man was attacked because he resembled a possible predator whose description was posted in Facebook.
Police say the attack happened around 6:40 p.m. Wednesday night on Gunpowder Lane in Exeter Township in reaction to rumors of a man stalking children in a van. Investigators say the men patrolled the neighborhood looking for a man in his 60s with shoulder-length gray hair. The description of the alleged child predator was posted on Facebook.
Police say the victim sustained cuts and wrist abrasions from being slammed to the ground and held down. The innocent man was out on his nightly walk, according to police. His name has not been released.
“The hysteria that has taken place has been somewhat created by social media,” District Attorney John Adams told NBC10.
Police found no truth to the child predator report.
"He did nothing wrong, nothing wrong at all," Adams said. "I think the basis of these individuals confronting him was based on something they read on Facebook, not something that was posted by the police."
No arrests were made but those responsible for allegedly beating than man could be facing criminal charges, according to Adams.
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