RTA arrests man on camera as idiot beats stranger

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – Police have made an arrest in the horrific RTA attack that occurred late this summer.

19 investigators obtained surveillance video of the random attack on Friday.

Paul Lewis, 31, said he was minding his own business at the RTA when a stranger approached him and punched him in the face.

“This guy was acting completely bizarre and almost seemed like he was possessed after he hit me and we looked at him,” Lewis said. “There were children and women within 10 feet, and it could have been any of those random people that this happened to.”

The Wayne County man told me he came to Cleveland in August to go to the Guardians game. He had parked his car in the parking lot of the RTA station on West 150th Street and was walking back to his car when he was brutally attacked.

Lewis said the man didn’t say a word to him before attacking him.

“Nothing,” Lewis said. “No words beforehand. I haven’t spoken to anyone. Didn’t look at anyone. Nothing was said. He was lying on the seat in front of us with a lighter and acting like it was an airplane.”

RTA police have reportedly arrested 41-year-old Daniel Donegan over the attack.

Cleveland Municipal Court records show Donegan has been arrested by RTA police 16 times this year. He was arrested 13 times for trespassing. He was also charged with disorderly conduct, assault and fare evasion.

According to the police report, Donegan had already been banned from the RTA for unruly behavior, but he had been sneaking onto the train at the time of the attack.

Lewis said he is still too afraid to participate in the RTA again.

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