North Salem Brothers Charged with Assault of Brewster Teens
The Putnam County Sheriff Department announced the arrest of two North Salem teenage brothers in connection with an altercation that sent two Brewster teenagers to Danbury Hospital.
At about 1a.m. on Friday, June 29, Sheriff’s deputies and criminal investigators were summoned to a fight in progress, involving approximately 50 to 60 people, at a commercial parking lot located at Route 22 in the Town of Southeast.
Two teens were injured in the fracas.
One victim, a 17 year-old boy from Brewster, suffered a fractured skull, cerebral hemorrhage and hearing loss as a result of being repeatedly struck in the head by a metal baseball bat and a socket wrench.
He was rushed to Danbury Hospital by members of the Brewster Fire Department ambulance where he was admitted in critical condition. Since the assault, the youngster has been released from the hospital facility.
The second victim, an 18 year-old boy, also from Brewster, was struck on the arm with a metal baseball bat causing contusions and substantial pain. He was treated at Danbury Hospital’s Emergency Department and released.
An investigation conducted by Sheriff’s investigators led to the arrest of 19 year-old Jonathan P. Owoo and his 17 year-old brother, Michael X. Owoo of North Salem.
After consultation with the Putnam County District Attorney’s Office, the pair was taken into custody at their home with the assistance of the New York State Police. They were transported to the Sheriff’s Office in Carmel where they were booked on assault-related felony crimes.
Jonathan P. Owoo was charged with Assault in the First Degree, a class “B” violent felony, Assault in the Second Degree, a class “D” violent felony, and two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree, a class “A” misdemeanor.
It is alleged that he possessed the metal baseball bat and used it as a weapon by repeatedly striking the 17 year-old victim in the head, causing serious physical injuries. He also allegedly struck the 18 year-old victim on the arm with the baseball bat, causing physical injury.
Michael X. Owoo was charged with Assault in the First Degree and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree. He is being accused of possessing a socket wrench and using it as a weapon by striking the 17 year-old victim in the head, causing serious physical injuries.
The teens were arraigned before Brewster Village Justice Richard O’Rourke on behalf of the Town of Southeast Justice Court. Both were remanded to the Putnam County Correctional Facility in lieu of $75,000 cash bail or $150,000 secured bond. They are scheduled to appear in Southeast Justice Court at 1 p.m. on Thursady, July 19.
Additionally, Southeast Town Justice Gregory Folchetti issued an order of protection on behalf of both victims, ordering Jonathan and Michael Owoo to stay away from and not to have any further contact with either victim.
If convicted of the most serious charge, the two brothers could be sentenced to a prison term for up to twenty-five years in a New York State correctional facility as determined by a court.
Adam has worked in the local news industry for the past two decades in Westchester County and the broader Hudson Valley. Read more from Adam’s author bio here.
