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October 26, 2010

2 arrested in series of downtown attacks

By David Hench dhench@mainetoday.com
Staff Writer

PORTLAND — Portland police arrested two men in connection with a series of downtown assaults last night and early this morning.

Police received a report at 11:40 p.m. Monday that three men tried to assault Ben Chipman, a political activist and candidate for the Legislature, at Congress and Franklin streets. They swung at him and missed and he was able to get away, police said.

At about midnight, at Spring and Center streets, men matching the description accosted another man, tried to provoke a fight and then punched him in the head and neck as he fled, police said.

Minutes later, men matching the description confronted another man and demanded his cell phone. When he refused, they tried to take his backpack, but he was able to get away, police said.

Then, two of the men attacked a couple on Congress Street, punching the man in the face, police said.

Police were searching the area and were questioning two men at Congress and Brown streets when the victim with the backpack arrived and identified his attackers, police said.

Police charged David Brochu, 22, of Windham with robbery, terrorizing and two counts of assault and charged Christopher Conley, 22, of Portland with robbery, carrying a concealed knife and two counts of assault. They are still searching for the third suspect.

Police asked that anyone with information call 874-8533.

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