KEITH WHITCOMB JR.

Staff Writer

BENNINGTON -- A Willowbrook man is facing charges alleging that he assaulted a man on the street over a debt and took his cell phone.

Ziyaad Madany, 21, pleaded not guilty to felony assault and robbery, and misdemeanor counts of petit larceny, and possession of marijuana. Madany was released on conditions that he abide by a 24-hour curfew at Willowbrook Apartments, and not contact the man he is accused of assaulting, Tim Peles. A bail hearing was scheduled for March 21.

According to an affidavit by Bennington Police Officer Robert Murawski, on Friday at 4:47 p.m. he went to Bank Street to speak to Peles who said he was assaulted. Peles had blood on his face and was spitting blood from his mouth. Peles said Madany had driven up alongside him, got out of his car, and punched him before taking his cell phone. He said this was over a debt Peles owed Madany for a video games he had purchased but never paid for. Later he told police it was over pills he bought from Madany in 2009.

Police said they spoke to Lauren Masiero and Haley Omasta who were on foot nearby when the incident occurred. Each said they saw a male get out of a vehicle, thrown another male to the ground, then punch him while saying something about being owed money.

Police also spoke to two other people in the vehicle, Amber Young and Lendi Watson. Young told police she told Madany not to fight then offered to drive them from the scene as Madany was not licensed to drive. Watson said he saw the fight as well and described as being fair and honest.

A marijuana pipe was found in the vehicle after Madany let police search it. According to the affidavit, the cost of replacing Peles’ phone was between $500 and $1,000.

Contact Keith Whitcomb Jr. at kwhitcomb@benningtonbanner.com or follow him on Twitter @KWhitcombjr.