NEW YORK, NY – A Bronx man who punched an autistic man more than twenty times inside the lobby of their apartment building is heading to prison for six years.
Steven Solano, 25, of East 155th Street, will serve five additional years of post-release supervision.
“The defendant, in the process of robbing the victim, punched him more than 20 times in the face,” said Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark. “This was a vicious attack and a traumatic experience for the victim, who is autistic and unable to communicate. His vision continues to be affected and he still suffers the lasting psychological effects of this assault.”
The defendant and the others stole the victim’s backpack, which contained his lunch and keys, and fled the scene. The victim sustained facial bruising, swelling, cuts, and bleeding from his eyes. The attack was captured on surveillance video and investigators found the victim’s blood on Solano’s shoes. The victim was taken to a local Bronx hospital for treatment.