Editorials

A 20-year-old man and a 15-year-old youth were attacked by six to eight youths as they walked toward the Hare Krishna temple about 6:45 p.m. Friday evening. 

The youths, about 14 to 16 years old, approached the two pedestrians and asked them if they wanted marijuana. The victims ignored them and walked on turning west on the 2400 block of Stuart Street, but the pack of boys surrounded them and sprayed them with a chemical substance that caused severe redness and irritation to their eyes, said Police Capt. Bobby Miller. 

The substance, like a pepper spray, almost rendered them helpless, he said. As they struggled to regain their sight, one of the attackers reached into the front pocket of one of the victims, took $3 and pushed him to the ground. Then some of the suspects kicked and punched him before running away toward Telegraph Avenue where they disappeared. The other victim had run to the Hare Krishna temple where he called police.