NOPD: Panhandler attacks man with bottle

A panhandler allegedly attacked a passer-by with a bottle after being refused money on Oak Street just off Carrollton this weekend, police said.

The victim was walking near the intersection of Fern and Oak about 5:15 p.m. Saturday when he was approached by a stranger asking for money, according to Lt. Mike Montalbano of the NOPD Second District investigative division. The man refused and walked off, and the panhandler hit him in the back of the head with a bottle, Montalbano said.

The two struggled and the suspect escaped, but investigators identified 43-year-old Barry D. Williams as a suspect Monday, Montalbano said. The victim identified Williams from a photo lineup, and police located him Tuesday afternoon and arrested him on a charge of aggravated battery, Montalbano said.