2 men charged with assault

Police said the victim was so severely injured, they couldn’t interview him.

YOUNGS-TOWN — Police said they arrested two men on charges of attempted murder and felonious assault in the severe beating of an Ohio Avenue man.

Police called to the home of Robert Walton, 29, in the 1500 block of Ohio around 5 a.m. Friday said they found the front door ajar and Walton lying face down in the living room.

There was clear evidence that the attack occurred in Walton’s home, including overturned furniture in the living room, police said, adding that they recovered a broken pool cue and other evidence at the scene.

Walton had suffered what appeared to be wounds to the back, side and torso and also had facial injuries, police said. He was having difficulty breathing and was taken to St. Elizabeth Health Center by ambulance.

Police said he appeared to be critically injured and they were unable to interview him.

They did speak with James Anderson, 27, of the same address, who reported the attack. Anderson was also assaulted but apparently didn’t require hospital treatment, police said.

Capt. Kenneth Centorame, chief of detectives, said investigating officers got the names of the two suspects and were able to get both into custody by 11 a.m. Friday.

They were identified as William Roton, 30, of Youngstown-Hubbard Road, Hubbard, and Jose Reyes Jr., 29, of Romaine Avenue, Boardman.

Centorame said Detective Sgts. Ronald Rodway and Ramon Cox were able to put the case together quickly, and the Street Crimes Unit arrested both men at Reyes residence in Boardman.

Both men were taken to Mahoning County Jail to await arraignment Monday on the attempted murder and felonious assault charges.

Police said they don’t know what caused the dispute that led to the assaults.