Teen accused of attacking man in wheelchair sentenced

RACINE CO. (WITI) — Alexander Pietsch, one of two Racine teens accused of attacking a Racine man in a wheelchair in October 2012, was sentenced on Monday, November 11th to three years in prison and another five years of extended supervision.

18-year-old Pietsch faced one count of robbery, crime against an elderly or disabled person, one count of substantial battery as party to a crime, crime against an elderly or disabled person and one count of misdemeanor bail jumping.

As part of a plea deal, Pietsch pleaded guilty to the charges in August 2013.

According to the criminal complaint in the case, a police officer arriving at the scene reported seeing the victim laying on the ground next to his overturned wheelchair, pleading for someone to “please call 911.” The victim was reportedly bleeding from the head and complained that his leg was “probably broken.” The victim told police he had been attacked and beaten before the suspects made off with his cell phone.

FOX6 News spoke with the victim, David Scholzen a few days after the incident. Scholzen suffered cuts on his head and a sprained knee as a result of the attack.

"For one, wondering what, why this was done to me," Scholzen told FOX6 News.

In statements to police, the victim said the two men approached him on the street and asked to see his phone. The victim had dialed 911, but had not pressed the “send” button. When the victim refused to hand over his phone, one of the men began striking him in the head and face with closed fists. Eventually, one of the suspects allegedly pressed something against the victim’s neck, which the victim assumed was a gun, and said: “Gimme the (expletive) phone or I’ll shoot you!” At this point, the victim handed over the phone and the two suspects took off — but not before reportedly striking the victim more. All of this, according to the criminal complaint in the case.

A short time later, the suspects returned and further attacked the victim, according to the criminal complaint. The victim told police he believes the suspects saw that he had dialed 911 and became angry.

The suspects were quickly tracked down and taken into custody, and the cell phone was returned to the victim.