BY GAYLA CAWLEY
LYNN — A panhandling led to an assault and attempted robbery on Monday.
Lynn Police Lt. Rick Donnelly said a 20-year-old Gloucester man told police that he was assaulted by a beggar at about 10:40 p.m., while he was waiting at the bus stop at the intersection of Market and Broad streets.
The victim told police that he was walking by the taxi cabs when Julio Jimenez, 24, of 23 Lexington St., asked him for a dollar, Donnelly said.
“He initially just asked the victim for a dollar,” Donnelly said. “The victim told him he didn’t have any money. Next thing you know, the suspect grabbed him, started punching him and asked for money.”
Donnelly said several cab drivers assisted and confronted Jimenez. He said the drivers were still confronting the Lynn man when police cruisers arrived.
“He was pointed out to officers and placed under arrest,” Donnelly said.
Jimenez was charged with an attempt to commit a crime (unarmed robbery).
Gayla Cawley can be reached at gcawley@itemlive.com. Follow her on Twitter @GaylaCawley