GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) — A Menasha man was arrested and charged with assault after hitting an elderly man at a Green Bay gas station on Saturday.
Court records indicate that 31-year-old Christopher Lo punched the 69-year-old man in the face, knocking him unconscious, after getting into a verbal argument with the man’s wife, who allegedly tried to confront Lo for trying to steal merchandise from the Grand Crossing shell station.
Police Commander Kevin Warych says bystanders took a risk by jumping in and holding the man until police arrived.
“You know it’s really comes out to an individual decision a weather person wants to get involved in the situation or not,” Warych told WTAQ. “We live in a very safe and supportive community, and there’s a lot of people that watch out for one another. So, when people make a conscious effort to get involved they just really have to know that they’re putting themselves at risk.”
He says that sort of intervention is not something they expect of everyone.
“From the police department perspective, we always appreciate people being great witnesses,” Warych said. “That’s the most important thing people can do.”
He says bystanders can help out during crimes by recording the situation and taking down details to share with police.
Lo was charged Monday with Disorderly Conduct, alongside Aggravated Battery of the Elderly.
