2 arrests, others sought in attack on homeless man at Olney gas station

OLNEY (WPVI) -- Two people were arrested and several others are being sought in connection to a brutal attack on a homeless man at a gas station in Philadelphia's Olney section.

It happened around 6:50 p.m. Tuesday in the 5500 block of North 5th Street.

Police say it all began when a 10-year-old boy told his mother that he got into an argument with the man over who was going to pump customers' gas for spare change.

Authorities say surveillance video shows no evidence that the 51-year-old victim ever struck the boy.

According to police, the child's mother 34-year-old Aleathea Gillard and several other people went back to the gas station.

The surveillance video shows the group getting out of a gray minivan.

If using the app, click here to watch the surveillance video.

Police say the suspects punched and kicked the man and at one point Gillard repeatedly struck him in the head with a rocking chair leg until it broke.

The video shows the group pummeling the victim with various weapons including a hammer and other objects as he lay unconscious, bleeding from the head.

Before leaving it appears one of the suspects took the boy over to get a look at what they did to the victim.

"The male right now is not doing that great, he's in critical condition. We're not sure if he's gonna make it or not and It's very tragic," said Capt. Malachi Jones, Philadelphia Police.

As it turns out, police say one of the suspects, 24-year-old Shareena Joachim, accidentally maced one of her co-horts and decided to drive to Einstein Medical Center to have her eyes flushed out.

No one was banking on police, who had just saw the video, being there working on the case.

"And further investigation revealed that these individuals were involved in the assault on this male," said Capt. Jones.

Gillard and Joachim were arrested.

Both are facing charges of attempted murder, aggravated assault and related offenses.

Police have also recovered the car in question.

Investigators are hoping to learn the identities of the others involved in the attack. They are believed to be relatives or friends.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Philadelphia Police at 215-686-TIPS (8477), by texting a tip to PPDTIP (773847) or online at www.phillypolice.com.

All tips will remain anonymous.