A man is facing assault charges after he allegedly attacked a female mail carrier Saturday in the Northwood section of Northeast Philadelphia, in an incident that was captured in a viral video.
Fabian Colon, 25, is accused of punching the U.S. Postal Service worker multiple times in the chest, causing her to fall down and hit her head and elbow, according to a criminal complaint. Medics took the victim, a 23-year-old woman, to Jefferson Torresdale Hospital for treatment.
Investigators said Colon approached her just after 1:15 p.m. on Oct. 4 because a mail truck was blocking traffic on the 4600 block of Horrocks Street, a one-way road with a single lane. He attempted to drive the truck himself, but she removed the key from the ignition, law enforcement officials said.
A physical altercation ensued, and Colon took the mail carrier’s cellphone, according to the PPD. Footage of the exchange, captured on her phone, was published on TikTok, with the original post garnering more than 1 million views.
Video from a different angle later surfaced on social media, and a neighbor could be heard in that clip warning the man that police were on their way.
Colon, a Northwood resident, has been charged with aggravated assault, theft, receiving stolen property, simple assault and reckless endangerment, according to court documents.
“The investigation is ongoing as to exactly what took place,” Colon’s attorney, Amato Sanita, told Metro, adding that more information might come to light when video is pieced together showing the entire exchange.
Colon was released from custody after someone posted 10% of his $25,000 bail. A preliminary hearing in the case is scheduled for Oct. 21.
