Police: Duo beats, robs sleeping homeless man for being in “their spot”

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Police are investigating after they say two men beat and robbed a homeless man who was sleeping in a gazebo near Greenfield Lake, claiming the man was in “their spot.”

Wilmington Police say it happened just before 2:30 a.m. Wednesday in the 1500 block of South 3rd Street. That’s where they say a man was sleeping in a gazebo when two unknown men began beating him with closed fists.

Police say during the attack, and as the victim laid in the fetal position, the duo kicked and hit him in the head, face and ribs. They say the victim told them the men were yelling at him, saying that the gazebo was “their spot, and that he couldn’t use it.”

Officers say the two men took off with some of the man’s belongings, including his wallet. They say the victim, who was not able to provide a detailed description of the suspects, was taken to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.