A Vancouver man who allegedly chased another man, clad only in his underwear, into a Starbucks and beat him Tuesday morning, reportedly thought the man had stolen his cable TV remote, according to court records.
James A. Neal, 35, appeared Wednesday in Clark County Superior Court on suspicion of first-degree burglary and second-degree assault in connection with the incident in Vancouver’s Uptown Village neighborhood.
The prosecution said the victim suffered a fractured eye socket.
Judge Robert Lewis did not find sufficient probable cause, however, to support the assault allegation, based on the affidavit before him.
Vancouver police were called shortly before 8:15 a.m. for a reported disturbance at the Fort Vancouver Apartments, 2509 Columbia St. It was then reported that the disturbance had moved outside and to a nearby Starbucks, according to a probable cause affidavit filed in Superior Court.
Upon arrival, police spoke with the victim, identified in court records as Rolidan Robledo, who said he was sleeping in his apartment when Neal broke open the door and began punching and kicking him, the affidavit stated.
Robledo, wearing only underwear, said he escaped from the apartment, but Neal began chasing and assaulting him down the street until he made it to Starbucks, court records said.
Bystanders inside Starbucks caught the incident on video, which shows a man, presumed to be Robledo, attempting to hold off his assailant behind the entry door to the coffee shop. The assailant then barged through the doors and struck him a few times. He was restrained by others and removed from the building.
Officers caught up with Neal outside the coffee shop.
Robledo was transported to a local hospital with facial injuries, the affidavit said.
Neal told officers he saw Robledo come out of his apartment when he returned home. He said he chased Robledo to his apartment and broke open his door because Robledo had broken into his apartment and stole a Comcast remote, according to court documents.
Neal said it’s been an ongoing issue with Robledo entering his apartment and taking things, according to court records. He additionally told officers that he suffers from schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
Court records indicated that Neal has a history of mental health issues and methamphetamine use. He was recently convicted of criminal trespassing.
During his court appearance, Lewis appointed Vancouver attorney Lisa Toth to represent Neal and set his bail at $25,000.
He will be arraigned Sept. 8.
