EDISON — A Greenville, N.C., teenager was injured in an assault at the Menlo Park Mall last week, police said.
Patrolman Robert Dudash said the 17-year-old was walking on the rear upper-level parking deck near the movie theater around 10 p.m. on Dec. 29 when he saw four suspects, described only as black males in their late teens or early 20s, wearing red clothing, coming toward him at a fast pace.
The youth told police he was suddenly struck in the face and side of the head and forced to the ground, police said.
While he was on the ground, the assailants continued to punch and kick him as they went through his pockets, Dudash said.
The youth also felt a strong blow to his right leg while he was on the ground, which may or may not have been inflicted by a foreign object, Dudash said.
The four assailants fled in a silver four-door Hyundai. It did not appear the victim lost any valuables in the attack, Dudash said.
The youth was transported by ambulance to JFK Medical Center in Edison for treatment of his injuries, he said.
The incident is under investigation.
— Bryan Sabella