No Bail For Driver Charged In Road Rage Beating Of Elderly Man
EAST BROOKFIELD (CBS) – A driver charged with beating an elderly man in a road rage attack in central Massachusetts was ordered held without bail Thursday.
Ryan Kobus, 25, of Leominster, covered his head with a jacket at his arraignment in East Brookfield District Court.
His attorney requested the cover for Kobus because of what he claimed were "identity issues."
Investigators say Kobus got into a confrontation with a 71-year-old man in Barre Saturday because the elderly man was driving too slow in front of him.
The prosecutor said Kobus pulled the man out of his car and beat him so severely he ended up with brain bleeding and stitches on his lip. Kobus also allegedly destroyed the man's hearing aid.
After the attack, police released surveillance video allegedly showing Kobus tailgating the victim and his family. The video led to numerous tips, which led to Kobus's arrest in Leominster Wednesday.
Barre Police Chief Ed Burgwinkel told WBZ-TV they are still searching for a second suspect in the case.
"Due to the amazing media and social networking that accompanied this case, we have learned that even his friends won't help him and he has left this area. Everyone is just waiting to turn him in," the chief said in an email.
"We are keeping on this and investigating every tip we receive. His arrest will be the exclamation point on the end of this story!"
Kobus is charged with assault and battery, malicious destruction of property and disorderly conduct.
He will be held without bail until his next court date on September 22.