SOMERSET — Three juveniles were arrested Monday evening after allegedly assaulting a 20-year-old man and threatening him with what appeared to be a firearm at Pierce Beach Park.
The victim contacted Somerset Police Department at 6:56 p.m. June 23 to report he had been physically assaulted by three unknown males and threatened with a gun before escaping the area.
Officer Brenan Cardoza interviewed the victim, who said he had ridden his motorcycle to Pierce Beach Park on Simbron Drive to meet someone when the assault occurred.
The victim told police he was seated on his motorcycle when three shirtless males approached from a nearby gathering and grabbed his arms, pushing and pulling him in an attempt to get him off the bike.
When the victim said he did not want problems or to fight, the suspects threatened to shoot him and one began reaching inside a backpack, according to police.
Believing the suspect was retrieving a gun, the victim fled on his motorcycle and called police once he reached a safe distance.
Detectives Donald Cormier and James Cardella responded to the beach and located an unattended backpack matching the victim’s description near the playground area.
Inside the backpack, detectives found an airsoft pellet pistol designed to look identical to a Glock 19X semiautomatic 9mm pistol.
The victim returned to the park with officers and positively identified the three suspects, who were still at the beach.
The suspects were determined to be juveniles — one 17-year-old and two 16-year-olds.
All three are being charged in Juvenile Court with assault and battery, with one facing an additional charge of assault with a dangerous weapon.
The suspects’ names cannot be released because they are juveniles.
