Thug Beats Autistic Man

File photo 

Stole His Lunch After Hitting Him Over 20 Times

BRONX - A Bronx man was convicted of brutally beating a 20-year-old autistic man who is non verbal.

Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark said, “The defendant, in the process of robbing the victim, punched him more than 20 times in the face. This was a vicious attack and a traumatic experience for the victim, who is autistic and unable to communicate. His vision continues to be affected and he still suffers the lasting psychological effects of this assault.”

Clark said the defendant, Steven Solano, 25, was sentenced by Bronx Supreme Court Justice Margaret Clancy to six years in prison and five years’ post-release supervision. The People had requested eight years in prison. The defendant was found guilty of second-degree Robbery on December 14, 2023, after a jury trial.

According to the investigation, on May 1, 2019, at approximately 4:00 p.m., the defendant and others chased the 20-year-old victim, who is autistic and non-verbal, into the lobby of the victim’s apartment building. Solano punched the victim over 20 times and continued to hit him while he was on the ground. The defendant and the others stole the victim’s backpack, which contained his lunch and keys, and fled the scene. The victim suffered facial bruising, swelling, cuts and bleeding from his eyes. He was taken to a local Bronx hospital for his injuries. The attack was captured on surveillance video and investigators found the victim’s blood on Solano’s shoes.