Philadelphia police made a quick arrest in the case of an alleged panhandler who they say kicked a pregnant woman in the stomach “unprovoked.”
Omar Palmer, 31, of the 300 block of South Broad Street, was arrested Feb. 20 and charged with aggravated assault and aggravated assault of an unborn child, a day after police released his image to media, they said.
Police were called to the Dunkin Donuts on 10th and Arch streets on Feb. 11, where the victim reported being assaulted minutes prior.
Police say Palmer approached the victim around 10:30 a.m. on Sunday and asked her for to give him $2.
The victim, 34, who was five months pregnant, “stated she didn’t have any money,” according to the police report. Palmer allegedly responded by kicking her in the stomach, then fled on foot.
Police arrested collar after identifying him as the suspect, who was also reportedly caught on surveillance cameras at the nearby Greyhound bus terminal.
The condition of the female victim, who was treated after the original incident at Hahnemann Hospital, was not immediately available due to medical confidentiality laws.
No motive was reported by police. No defense attorney for Palmer could immediately be located for comment.
