Man Beaten For Taking Too Long To Order Food

Brookline police arrest reports include man beating homeless man and shoplifter arrested for stealing food.

• Joseph Ward, of 19 North Monroe Terrace in Dorchester, was arrested on Oct. 11 for allegedly beating a homeless man. The 37-year-old suspect was seen allegedly beating the homeless man outside Anna’s Taqueria after the man took to long to order his food. The alleged suspect was seen beating the man with a glass bottle over the head before tackling him to the ground and punching him in the face four or five times according to witnesses who called the police. Ward was charged with assault and battery and the victim was taken to the hospital for stitches on his face.
• John Betnacourt, 39, of 39 Boylston St., was arrested on Oct. 9 for shoplifting. Betnacourt had allegedly stolen from the same store before and was arrested with a female suspect. Betnacourt and the female suspect allegedly walked around the store with a carriage putting things in and then removing them and putting them into hidden tote bags. Items allegedly stolen include two bags of frozen shrimp, two bags of frozen salmon, two packages of frozen pork ribs, and a package of brisket among other grocery items.
• Akram Benlayef, 18, of 88 Coolidge St. in Allston, was arrested for allegedly having an active default warrant out for his arrest. Benlayef was pulled over at the corner of Harvard St. and Green St. and his expired temporary I.D. was later destroyed.
• Paul Nicholas, 31, of 26 Loring St. in Somerville, was arrested for allegedly operating an unregistered motor vehicle and operating after suspension. The suspect was pulled over on the side of Harvard St. at the intersection of Thorndike Rd for driving a van with expired registration. The suspect alleges the van belonged to his employer and he was unaware of the expired registration. The suspects license was suspended in March 2012 for failure to pay a fine.