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Milwaukee Man Charged in 'Sucker-Punch' Outside South Side Pizzeria

Police say they identified the suspect by matching surveillance footage to a recent parking citation, prompting prosecutors to file a felony substantial-battery charge.

Overview

  • The attack on Aug. 12 left a neighborhood resident known as Larry unconscious on a sidewalk outside Beto’s Pizza and hospitalized with a skull fracture, broken nose, a concussion and four stitches.
  • Surveillance video shows the assailant running up behind the victim and landing a single blow that knocked him out before the victim was repeatedly struck on the ground, according to the criminal complaint.
  • Officers traced the suspect to 25-year-old Angel Garcia-Santibanez after recognizing him from a parking ticket issued at the same location days earlier and arrested him on Aug. 18.
  • Prosecutors have charged Garcia-Santibanez with one felony count of substantial battery, a charge that carries up to 3 years and 6 months in prison and a possible fine of up to $10,000 if he is convicted.
  • The restaurant released surveillance footage and local activists amplified the video to solicit tips, a sequence that heightened public attention and helped lead to the arrest while the criminal case moves through the charging phase.