Police: Military reservists assaulted, robbed after weekend protest

PHILADELPHIA (WTXF) - U.S. military reservists were assaulted and robbed Saturday in the Old City section of Philadelphia by a group of men and women seen earlier on video taking part in a protest, police say.

At about 3:20 p.m. Saturday, the military reservists were on the 100 block of S. Front Street when, police say, they were approached by numerous males and females who began calling them "Nazis" and "white supremacists."

The suspects then maced the reservists and proceeded to punch and kick them. Police say a cell phone was stolen by one of the male suspects, and they all ran away headed north on Front Street, towards Market Street.

Some of the individuals involved were captured on surveillance video at an earlier protest in the area, and police released that footage Monday on their YouTube page.If you see the suspects depicted in the video, police say do not approach them; call 9-1-1 immediately. To submit a confidential tip, call 215-686-TIPS (8477) or you can text it to PPD TIP or 773847. If you have any information about the suspects, call the Central Detectives Division at 215-686-3047.

This incident was report amid tension and dueling rallies Saturday in Old City as two groups with opposing political and social views shouted back and forth. Some protesters were detained, and four were arrested. Police said some in the first group of protesters reportedly had ties to neo-Nazis. Some of the larger group of counter-protesters carried signs against racism, sexism and anti-Semitism