Thief Nabbed After Assaulting, Robbing Cyclist, Police Say

A man who punched and robbed a cyclist near Parker Avenue and Richmond Road was arrested after a foot pursuit Monday evening, Maplewood Police said.

Rashon Sprill, 22, of Irvington, was charged with robbery, simple assault and resisting arrest, Capt. John Perna said.

Sprill and another man, who remains at large, approached the cyclist at about 6 p.m., knocked him off his bike and punching him, Perna said. The two men made off with the cyclist's bag, Perna said. The cyclist suffered minor abrasions, Perna said.

As officers responded to the area, the men began to run away, Perna said. After a foot chase, Officer Christopher Kelly caught Sprill, with help from Detective Carlos Baez.

The men were attempting to run to a nearby car, which witnesses described as a burgundy-colored older model with a loud muffler, Perna said. The car sped away as officers approached, Perna said.

A woman driving nearby drove near the men in an attempt to distract them as police were in pursuit, Perna said.  

The Detective Bureau is investigating the incident, Perna said.