By MARK TODD - Staff Writer - mtodd@starbeacon.com
ASHTABULA TOWNSHIP — A man assaulted a Super Kmart shopper while demanding money early Monday morning in the store’s parking lot, according to Ashtabula County Sheriff’s Department deputies.
The victim, a 27-year-old Ashtabula Township man, was not injured, deputies said.
Deputies were called to the store, located at the Ashtabula Towne Square, at 12:20 a.m. The shopper said he encountered his assailant as he was preparing to enter the store. The man offered to swap a store gift card for cash, deputies said.
The victim said they could talk once he emerged from the store. After leaving the store, the pair spoke again, and the shopper made an offer, deputies were told. The man responded by punching the victim three times in the stomach, according to reports.
The pair fought before a passerby intervened, deputies said. The assailant then fled on foot, according to reports.
The would-be robber ran away empty-handed, deputies said.
According to a surveillance video viewed by deputies, the suspect apparently approached several people in the parking lot. The actual assault was not captured by surveillance cameras, deputies said.
The suspect is a black man with a closely-shaved head, medium height and stocky build, deputies said. He was last seen running in the vicinity of the Applebee’s Restaurant.
