A Gary man faces felony charges after attacking his teenage niece at a city bus stop over a missing phone charger.
It was caught on surveillance video.
Maron Counce, 34, was charged Saturday with one count of battery resulting in serious bodily injury, a Level 5 felony.
He is in custody, held on a $3,000 cash surety bond. His next court date is Sept. 24 before Judge Natalie Bokota.
Gary Police responded on Sept. 12 to Westside Leadership Academy, 900 Gerry St.
Officers noted the girl’s eyes were swollen.
The girl, with her father, told cops that Counce “stole” her charger again, so she went to his truck to get it back before heading to the city bus stop on 49th and Broadway Ave. for school.
Counce showed up. They argued before she gave it back to him.
The man then punched her repeatedly in the head and face. He chased her in the parking lot and grabbed her, then punched her so hard she “blacked out” and “hit the floor.”
At least two other girls there backed up her story, saying he beat her up so “bad,” they had to help her up.
He was arrested just after noon at a gas station near 25th and Broadway.
“I already know y’all looking for me,” he told officers. “I ain’t trying to run.”
mcolias@post-trib.com
