A 24-year-old man is facing charges that he claimed to be part of ISIS and took part in the beating of a group of people outside South Philadelphia's Geno's Steaks in June.
Alberto Lopez, of Camden, surrendered to police on Sept. 14, a police spokeswoman confirmed. Lopez is accused in the June 11 attack outside the iconic cheesesteak shop near 9th Street and Passyunk Avenue.
A warrant has been issued for a 36-year-old man also wanted in the attack, police said.
Patrick Kane, one of the victims in the alleged attack, said he was in court Thursday for a preliminary hearing for Lopez, and that his friend, who was also attacked, identified Lopez to authorities as being among the group of people who beat them. Lopez's hearing was continued until Oct. 27, court records show. The other men wanted in the attack remain on the loose.
Court records show that Lopez was freed on bail after posting 10 percent of $5,000 immediately following his arrest. He's charged with aggravated assault, conspiracy, simple assault, reckless endangerment and harassment.
Kane, 31, told NBC10 after the incident that he, his wife and his friends went to Geno's about 4:15 a.m. on the morning of the attack, after attending a wedding. Kane said one of his friends asked a group of five men for a cigarette. That's when one of the men allegedly snapped.
"The guy just like snapped," Kane said. "Started yelling and cursing at them. [He said], 'You don't know who we are! Don't mess with us! We belong to ISIS!'"
Kane said the man then confronted his wife.
"He got in her face and said, 'What makes you think I'm joking? Then he put his hands on her and pushed her across the sidewalk."
Kane told NBC10 he then jumped in to protect her but the group of men attacked him, slapped his wife and beat one of his other friends as well.
"I got hit in the nose," Kane said. "I got hit in the back of the head."
Philadelphia Police released surveillance video showing the group of suspects moments before the attack, which they described as "too graphic to show." In the video you see five guys – three wearing sports caps with stickers still on the brims – and a woman – believed to be a getaway driver – purchasing cheesesteaks.
After the beating the suspects jumped into two vehicles with New Jersey plates – a dark-colored pickup truck and a sport utility vehicle, said investigators.
Police didn’t reveal exact descriptions of the assault suspects who all appeared to be young men.
Kane was badly bruised after the incident and shared photos with NBC10 of his injuries moments after the beating. More than a week later, he still has a faint scar under his right eye. Kane said he was especially taken aback by the "ISIS" remark.
"You can't really take things lightly anymore," Kane said. "Even if you sit there and say it's a joke, it's not funny."
NBC10 asked police about the alleged "ISIS" comments. Police said they're only investigating the incident as an assault at this time however.
Geno's Steaks called the attack unacceptable.
"We as a company do not condone any type of physical conflict," said a statement from Geno's. "Physical disputes are not acceptable anywhere and should not go without punishment. We are asking our patrons and the public to contact police if they have any information that will help identify the individuals involved."
Anyone with information on the incident or recognizing any of the suspects is asked to contact Philly Police.
Photo Credit: Surveillance image released by Philadelphia Police
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