Four people face charges in connection with an assault in Southington in which a man lost four teeth after he was allegedly beaten with a tire iron.
The victim told police he was walking home on Shuttle Meadow Road on Jan. 6 when two men known to him confronted him about money they believed he had taken from a family member of theirs, according to an arrest warrant in connection with the incident. The victim, who was 25 at the time, said one of the men began grabbing and punching him, but he was able to fight back and quickly gain an advantage, the warrant said.
The second man then reportedly grabbed the victim as a third assailant who was armed with a tire iron arrived, the warrant said. He used the weapon to strike the victim multiple times, the complainant alleged.
The victim told police he was held down while he was struck with the tire iron and kicked by two of the assailants until all three began kicking him, according to the warrant.
The suspects then reportedly told the man they would continue to beat him if he did not empty his pockets, the warrant said. The victim gave the men his belongings after another minute or so of being beaten with the tire iron and kicked, he told police. The suspects made off with his wallet, which had $20 in it, an iPhone and a vaping device, the warrant said.
The victim, who was treated at the Hospital of Central Connecticut, lost four teeth and a dental implant and had facial contusions and bruising to his abdomen.
The complainant was able to identify his assailants as Andrew Romegialli, 41, Richard Hogan, 36, and Jules Staples, 53. All three men face felony charges of first-degree assault and conspiracy to commit first-degree assault.
The victim told police that Gail Chapman, 49, was there when he was assaulted, but she did not strike him. She faces charges of first-degree assault, conspiracy to commit first-degree assault and tampering with physical evidence.
Romegialli and Staples have also been charged with tampering with physical evidence. Police noted in the warrant that some of the suspects tried washing their clothes or wiping blood from their shoes following the attack.
Romegialli, Staples and Chapman were arrested on the day of the assault. Southington police had to seek a warrant for Hogan’s arrest. He also faces charges of second-degree larceny and second-degree robbery.
All four suspects are free from custody while their cases are pending in New Britain Superior Court.
Chapman and Romegialli are set to face a judge on Thursday, while Staples is expected to make a court appearance next week.
Hogan was granted a continuance until May 9 during a recent court appearance.
