Teen attacked over 'ding dong ditch' prank wasn't involved, mother says, as man charged with assault
NEW CANAAN, Conn. (WABC) -- A teenager assaulted allegedly by a man who was frustrated with a "ding dong ditch" prank at his home wasn't involved in the practical joke, the boy's mother says.
Police say the suspect, Paul Kreutzer, was angry that someone pulled the prank of ringing the doorbell of his New Canaan home then running away several nights in a row.
Mihaela Kolich says her son and his friend were riding their bikes on Ledge Avenue when they were confronted.
"He snatches them off their bikes, throws both boys on the ground, and his screaming at them. 'I got you. You were here earlier. I got you," Kolich said.
She says a phone tracking app proved to the police that the two teens had not been to that location before.
"My son never ding dong ditched anyone. And even if, let's say it was my son, I don't think it calls for assault," Kolich said.
Just last month, a Texas man was charged with shooting and killing an 11-year-old after a similar doorbell prank.
In this incident, the 54-year-old Kreutzer is facing charges of third-degree assault, criminal mischief, and risk of injury to a child.
"I find it very disturbing that this man would assault a minor. But what's even more disturbing is an innocent minor who wasn't even the one doing the ding dong ditching. My son is really traumatized," Kolich said.
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