Police: Man hit children at Wal-Mart for thrill

COLUMBUS (AP) — Police in Ohio say a man accused of striking children in the head with his fist and keys at a Wal-Mart store told them he did it for the thrill.

Sixty-eight-year-old Ralph Conone was arrested Wednesday at a Columbus Wal-Mart and charged with two counts of assault. Police say a mother had store employees call police after the woman’s 6-year-old son told her Conone hit him.

The boy was treated for a minor cut on the back of his head. Police say his 7-year-old brother also had been struck.

Sgt. John Hurst says Conone told investigators it was exciting to hit children with their parents nearby.

Police say they’re trying to find two more children seen getting struck on store surveillance video.