Lansdale Police. Photo by James Short.
The incident occurred at the convenience store at Main Street and Cannon Avenue Sept. 17.
A man with an extensive criminal history has been charged with felony aggravated assault and additional misdemeanor offenses for his alleged role in an assault at 7-Eleven at Main Street and Cannon Avenue in Lansdale on Tuesday.
Ronald Anthony Heitz, no fixed address, 32, also faces misdemeanor charges of attempted simple assault, reckless endangerment of another person, and defiant trespassing, as well as summary charges of harassment and disorderly conduct, according to court documents.
Heitz remains at Montgomery County jail in lieu of $25,077 cash bail, which includes a parole/probation detainer, according to court records.
On Sept. 17, at 5:01 p.m., Lansdale Police responded to an emergency call at 7-Eleven, 651 W. Main St. for a fight in progress between two men, police said. While en route, dispatch informed police that one man was bleeding from the head and going in and out of consciousness, per the criminal complaint.
Upon arrival, police found a man matching a description of the suspect and recognized Heitz from prior incidents, police said.
Officers found a man suffering from a head wound on the floor in front of the counter, described as semi-conscious and not alert, police said.
The victim was taken by VMSC Emergency Medical Services to Grand View Hospital for treatment, police said.
Heitz was detained at 5:05 p.m. for suspicion of assault, and he asked what he was being detained for, per the affidavit. “Assault,” police said. “I didn’t do nothing, rewind the cameras,” Heitz allegedly replied.
A witness told authorities that the Heitz and the victim were arguing, with Heitz allegedly saying, “You’re lucky I don’t know you the f--- out,” to which the victim allegedly replied, “Do it.”
Police said Heitz punched the victim in the face, knocking him down and out, striking his head on the floor. The witness went outside, police said, and asked Heitz, “Why would you do that? You could have killed him.” Heitz, police allege, said, “Aint’ nobody got it on camera.”
A second witness told police that Heitz was in the back of the store playing the skill games, talking about killing someone, according to the complaint. He then asked for help with a skill game machine, but the victim, police allege, told Heitz to wait his turn. Police said that was when Heitz got in the victim’s face and threatened to “knock him the f--- out,” before striking the victim.
Surveillance footage showed Heitz, authorities allege, interacting with a clerk and arguing with the victim, whose hands were behind his back. Heitz, police said, continued to argue before hitting the victim with a closed fist.
Police said the victim had no way to defend himself or prevent the fall, due to the position of his arms.
Heitz had previously been warned for trespassing and had been previously arrested for defiant trespassing at the 7-Eleven, police said.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled before Magisterial District Judge Edward Levine for Oct. 23 at 11 a.m.
He is currently awaiting formal arraignment in Montgomery County Common Pleas Court on two separate arrests in July 2024 by Lansdale Police: One case involves misdemeanor defiant trespassing and drug offenses, and the second involves misdemeanor drug and receiving stolen property offenses, according to court documents.
Heitz has a criminal history dating back to 2012, including convictions on felony robbery by force, felony drug possession, and misdemeanor receiving stolen property and defiant trespassing charges.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using public court records.
