Man accused in brutal brass knuckles beating during attempted carjacking pleads not guilty to all counts

GREENFIELD -- A man charged with a dozen counts after a series of carjackings and a brutal beating in the parking lot of a grocery store in Greenfield appeared in court Monday, August 28th -- where he pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Corleon Thomas

18-year-old Corleon Thomas pleaded not guilty to 11 felony counts and one misdemeanor:

Thomas was arrested on August 8th, following the pursuit of a stolen vehicle which ended in Glendale. Prosecutors have also linked Thomas to five stolen vehicles — taken between late July and early August.

Corleon Thomas

According to the criminal complaint, on July 21st, police were dispatched to Pacific Produce, near 27th and Grange in Greenfield. There, they spoke with a victim who indicated she parked, and spent five to 10 minutes in her vehicle checking her phone. As she exited, the door was yanked open by a black male suspect who “immediately began punching (the victim) in the head with his fist using brass knuckles.” The victim said she was punched five to six times in the head, and the suspect then tried yanking her out of the vehicle by her leg — breaking her sandal. This, as a female was yelling “grab the purse! Grab the purse!”

Attempted robbery, carjacking in Greenfield near 27th and Grange

The victim said as she fought to hang onto her purse, the straps broke, and the man continued striking her on the head as she reached into her purse for pepper spray. She said she sprayed the male suspect fully in the face and he fled with the female suspect.

A pair of bloody brass knuckles was recovered at the scene.

The complaint indicates the victim suffered significant injuries to her face, including lacerations, swelling and trauma.

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