Matt Peterson, Austin Daily Herald, Minn. –
An 18-year-old pleaded not guilty to charges that he helped beat up a 14-year-old boy and stole his iPhone.
Kim Monykuany, of Austin, pleaded not guilty to simple robbery and aiding and abetting theft, both felonies.
According to the court complaint, Monykuany and a group of teenagers approached the 14-year-old and threatened to rob him. Monykuany allegedly held the victim’s arms back while another teen punched the victim in the stomach and took his iPhone.
Police arrested Monykuany at his home, after the victim and his mother told police about the alleged attack while looking for the victim’s glasses, which fell off during the attack.
Two others with Monykuany and two of the victim’s friends told police the attack happened as the victim said. The alleged puncher denied hitting the victim.
Monykuany’s pretrial is set for July 13.