Newtown Man Facing Charges After Incident Outside Of Starbucks

NEWTOWN BOROUGH, PA — Charges have been filed in connection with an incident that occurred Monday outside of the Starbucks on State Street.

Vincent Lewis, 63, of Newtown has been charged with harassment and criminal mischief after police said he "made contact" with a woman, damaging her phone.

The incident was captured on video and viewed widely on Facebook. A video of the encounter can be seen here.

According to the video and information from police, a woman who was putting up flyers related to the death of George Floyd was approached by a couple. The man, later identified as Lewis, began yelling at them. He then slapped her phone from her hands and a verbal altercation ensued.

Police were called to the scene and conducted interviews with all involved parties on Tuesday.

"The facts of the case, along with the video, were reviewed by the District Attorney and there was a consensus that the most appropriate charges given the facts of the incident are harassment for making contact with the victim and criminal mischief for causing damage to the phone when it was knocked from the victim's hands," Newtown Borough said in a news release issued Wednesday.

Each charge carries a maximum fine of $300. Authorities will be seeking restitution to be paid to the victim to repair her phone, police said.

"During these tough times our community needs to come together and support every citizens inalienable rights under the constitution," police said in the release. "The Newtown Borough Police Department is appalled by the actions of the people responsible for the death of George Floyd. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Floyd family."