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New Philadelphia residents attacked; four men face felony charges

New Philadelphia residents attacked; four men face felony charges

NEW PHILADELPHIA – Four local men have been charged with aggravated burglary (a first-degree felony) and aggravated assault (a second-degree felony) in connection with the beating of a New Philadelphia man on Aug. 20.

Charged were Christopher Beatty, 35, of New Philadelphia, Henry Wellman, 25, of New Philadelphia, Jared Soltero, 36, of Minerva and Todd Riordan, 38, of Massillon.

According to New Philadelphia Police Captain Detective Ty Norris, police were called to a residence in the 600 block of Fair Avenue NW at 4:15 p.m. on August 20 for a report of an assault.

Due to the nature of the crime, the severity of the victim's injuries, and the number of suspects involved, detectives were called to the scene to investigate.

Over the next seven days, investigators were able to identify the people involved and issue arrest warrants, Norris said.

All participants worked for the same company

As the police learned, all those involved worked for the same company. After drinking alcohol in several bars, the four men went to the victim's home. The victim was an acquaintance of one of the men, the investigator said.

They knocked on the door of the home, and when the victim answered, he was immediately assaulted and then dragged back into his home. The victim was further assaulted while being dragged into a room in the home. The attack continued for a short period of time. According to the police department, the men then drove away in two separate trucks. The victim suffered multiple facial fractures, abrasions to his face and head, and a cut on his ear that required multiple stitches. He was treated at Cleveland Clinic Union Hospital in Dover. He will require surgery in the next few weeks, Norris said.

His wife, who was home at the time, called 911 after the suspects left the area. She was not injured.

The attack was fueled by alcohol

Norris said investigators believe the attack was not random but was fueled by alcohol. He said the victim was targeted by the group for personal reasons.

New Philadelphia Police were assisted by the Tuscarawas County District Attorney's Office, Tuscarawas County Sheriff's Office and Harrison County Sheriff's Office.

This case will be reviewed by the Tuscarawas County Grand Jury in the coming weeks and additional charges may be filed.

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