South Philly duo nabbed for Old City beat-down

Police arrested two South Philadelphia men in the April 30 beat-down in an Old City parking lot that left a 27-year-old man hospitalized with a broken jaw and shattered eye socket.

Michael Russo, 21, of Carlisle Street near Snyder Avenue, and Edward Costello, 19, of Smedley Street near Oregon Avenue, were charged with aggravated assault and related offenses, police said. Police are still seeking two other suspects.

The victim, whose name was withheld by police, and his friend, 25, left the Mad River Bar, on Chestnut Street near 2nd, about 2 a.m. and headed toward the E-Z parking lot on the same block. A few minutes later, Russo allegedly began arguing with the younger man. Russo and his friends allegedly chased the pair into the lot and began hitting the younger man. They turned their aggression toward the 27-year-old when he intervened to defend his friend. Russo allegedly punched the victim into unconsciousness. The victim required six stitches to his forehead. Surveillance cameras caught the episode on tape, which police released last week. Tipsters helped police identify the bullies.

Detectives still are seeking two suspects. Both are white men in their mid 20s; one wore a black T-shirt with light pants, while the other wore a white T-shirt with black pants. To see the surveillance video, click here or go to http://phillypolice.com/news. Call detectives at (215) 686-3093 with tips.