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Police: Bully assaulted student, stole his Air Jordans

A Douglas County High School student has been arrested on felony charges that he assaulted and stole from students as they got off the school bus.

Investigators told Channel 2's Michael Buczyner that one of the victims got off a school bus on Willow Ridge in Douglasville and was robbed moments later for the shoes on his feet.

"They grabbed his new Air Jordan sneakers and took off," Stan Copeland of the Douglas County Sheriff's Office said. "It appears to be a case of bullying."

Copeland said 18-year-old Jeremiah Matthews, a senior at New Manchester High School, and a 16-year-old classmate sucker punched the victim, knocked him on the ground and continued to hit him before taking his pricey sneakers.

Investigators said Matthews, who is currently on probation, took the sneakers, valued at $180, and sold them to a neighbor for $80.

"Once we got into the investigation, we found another victim, who a couple days earlier had his cellphone stolen by the same individual," Copeland said.

Copeland said Matthews also assaulted and robbed a 14-year-old student of his iPhone a few days earlier.

The mother of that student spoke to Buczyner Tuesday night.

"He can't do that to people and beat up people and take their stuff. That's not how life is," the mother said.

The person who answered the door at Matthews' home said, "No comment."

Copeland urged any other victims to come forward.

DOUGLASVILLE, Ga. — http://bcove.me/mqttqey6