Two arrested for allegedly beating up, robbing autistic man

TAMPA (FOX 13) - An autistic man says he was the victim of an unprovoked attack that left him bruised and bloodied.

The victim spoke to FOX 13 under the condition of anonymity. He is 22 years old but because of developmental disabilities and autism, his mental capacity is that of a 15-year-old.

He says it happened Monday at a park near his Hillsborough County home. Two men approached him about the theft of a cellphone.

He told the men he didn't know what they were talking about, but they didn't accept his answer.

He says the two starting pushing and shoving him, but the bullying didn't end there.

He says he saw the men again at a pizza shop later in the day and they roughed him up in a nearby alley.

The victim says the confrontation left him with some cuts and swelling to his face.

His alleged attackers stole his phone and flip-flops. Hillsborough County deputies eventually arrested 25-year-old Terrell Newton and a 16-year-old juvenile.

Newton and the juvenile face possible charges of robbery and abuse of a disabled person.