WEBSTER — A Webster man wanted for a violent incident at a local Taco Bell has been apprehended by an alert police officer on patrol.
The initial assault took place on July 20, shortly before 4:16 p.m., when Webster Police Department officers responded to a report of an aggravated assault and battery at the Taco Bell on East Main Street.
According to authorities, two victims were assaulted, one of whom sustained injuries that necessitated multiple hospital visits, including the treatment of potentially life-threatening damage to their head and face.
Lieutenant Wentworth and Officer Collins, who took the victims’ report, learned that the altercation began when one of the victims recognized an employee who started verbally assaulting him at the drive-through.
Subsequently, as the victims tried to leave, approximately six to seven individuals emerged from the restaurant and surrounded their car.
During the confrontation, Nathaniel Kelley, 20, of North Brookfield, allegedly punched one victim through an open car window, while Christopher Smith, also 20, of Webster, reportedly threw a rock through the window, striking the second victim in the back of the head.
Further investigation by Officers Melhouse and Donovan at the Taco Bell, including reviewing surveillance footage and interviewing witnesses, allowed them to identify Kelley and Smith as the suspects.
Officer Donovan secured an arrest warrant for Smith on Aug. 2, and on Sept. 20, at about 6:45 p.m., Officer Caruso spotted and arrested Smith on Hartley Street without incident.
Kelley has been charged with assault and battery and was arraigned on Aug. 30.
Smith faces charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury, and malicious damage to a motor vehicle.
His arraignment took place on Sept. 23, following his arrest.
