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MLB umpire in Philadelphia for Phillies-Diamondbacks series assaulted in Center City, police sources say

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Tom Dougherty
Digital Content Producer, CBS Philadelphia
Tom Dougherty is a digital content producer for CBS Philadelphia. Before joining CBS Philadelphia, Tom covered sports for NBC Sports Philadelphia. He currently covers breaking news and sports.
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Tom Dougherty,
Joe Holden
Joe Holden
Joe Holden came home to join the CBS News Philadelphia team as a general assignment reporter in May, 2016. In August 2018 he became anchor of the weekend evening editions and Philly57.
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Joe Holden

/ CBS Philadelphia

A Major League Baseball umpire was among two victims allegedly robbed and assaulted in separate incidents last week in Center City, police sources tell CBS News Philadelphia.

Multiple law enforcement sources identified the umpire as Brock Ballou, who has umped in MLB since 2022.

The two alleged robberies and assaults happened on Thursday, April 9, within 30 minutes of each other, the Philadelphia Police Department said. Police released  of the suspect, who they said appears to be in his teens.

umpire-assault-suspect.jpg
Philadelphia Police Department

Police said the first incident happened shortly after 6:30 p.m. at the 7-Eleven in the 1200 block of Chestnut Street. They said the suspect entered the convenience store and allegedly stole several items. An employee then confronted the suspect and was punched multiple times before the suspect fled the store, police said.

About 30 minutes later, police said the same suspect approached Ballou from behind in the 1600 block of Walnut Street, stole Ballou's phone while the umpire was looking at directions and then ran off.

"The suspect approached the male and snatched his cellphone out of his hands," Capt. Jason Smith told CBS News Philadelphia. "The victim went chasing after the male, at which time they got involved in a physical altercation at 16th and Walnut."

Investigators said when Ballou tried to take his phone back, the suspect punched him several times in the head. Surveillance video shown to CBS News Philadelphia shows the suspect repeatedly punching Ballou.

"They ended up on the ground, at which time the victim struck his head, causing injury," Smith said. "The male continued his assault, violently punching him."

The suspect then ran away without the phone, which was later returned to Ballou by someone on the street, police said. Ballou's injuries were not serious, police said.

Ballou was in town to work the Phillies vs. Arizona Diamondbacks series last weekend. He was umpiring first base the following night and was behind home plate two days later.

MLB declined to comment when contacted by CBS News Philadelphia.

Police are asking anyone with information about the alleged crimes to contact the department's central detective division at 215-686-3093/3094.

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