The Madison Police Department arrested a suspect after he allegedly attacked a 21-year-old homeless man on State Street Thursday night.
Howard D. Eskridge, a 29-year-old Madison resident, was arrested after he allegedly punched the victim multiple times in the head and stole his cell phone, according to an MPD incident report.
The victim was “just putting his sleeping bag down in the 100 block of State St.” at approximately 11 p.m. when Eskridge began battering him, police said. Eskridge then allegedly rummaged through the victim’s pockets, ripping one. After taking the cellphone, the suspect fled.
A bystander who witnessed the incident alerted police, who arrived at the scene and found the victim with “significant head injuries.” He was taken to the hospital.
Eskridge was arrested later that night for substantial battery, robbery with use of force, disorderly conduct and intimidating a victim.
