Crime & Safety
Lakeville Man Beaten, Robbed of 'Jordan' Sneakers; Man in Custody
Spencer Scott Nevala allegedly attacked and robbed a man in Lakeville after a dispute over a duffle bag that had marijuana inside. The search continues for Nevala's purported accomplices.
A Farmington resident has been accused of orchestrating a scheme to beat and rob a Lakeville man in retaliation for stealing a dufflebag stuffed with pot.
Spencer Scott Nevala, 20, is charged with fifth-degree assault, theft, and simple robbery, a felony that carries a penalty of up to 10 years in jail and a $20,000 fine.
According to the criminal complaint, officers from the were called to an address on Jamaica Court after receiving reports of a strong-arm robbery that occured during the wee hours of Dec. 10, 2011. When officers arrived, they spoke to the alleged victim, who had sustained "obvious injuries to his face and wrist," the complaint said.
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The man said his ordeal began after he'd gotten a call from an old friend inviting him to hang out. The caller said she would come and pick him up. A few minutes later, the victim said a burgundy minivan pulled up. He saw his friend in the passenger-side seat, and as the victim approached the van, two men jumped out and attacked him. One of the attackers, who has yet to be unidentified, tackled him and held him down as Nevala kicked him about the face and ribs. The man said Nevala rummaged through his pockets, took the man's United Kingdom passport, and stole his Michael Jordan high top shoes. As a parting gesture, Nevala allegedly threatened to damage the man's car if he reported the incident. Nevala and his partner then jumped back into the van and fled the scene.
The man told investigators that the attack was not Nevala's first attempt. He claimed that Nevala tried to assault him a few days earlier, but that a third party intervened. He said Nevala held a grudge from an incident three weeks before, when the victim took a duffle bag full of marijuana owned by Nevala.
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Thus far, no on eelse has been charged for the assault. The caller who arranged to meet the victim denied knowledge. The victim did not recognize the driver of the van nor the second attacker.
Nevala made his first appearance in court on Thursday.
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