Acapulco Joe’s owner critically hurt in customer attack, police say

The owner of the Acapulco Joe’s restaurant Downtown was critically injured Tuesday after he tried to stop a customer attempting to leave without paying a $40 bill.

The customer struck Grant C. Redmond about 2 p.m. outside the restaurant, 365 N. Illinois St., according to an Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department report.

“This horrible, horrible person almost killed a man because he didn’t want to pay a $40 food bill,“ said Robert Plank, Redmond's partner for 28 years.

Plank spent the night in Redmond's room at Eskenazi Hospital. Redmond was fuzzy-headed but conscious, Plank said, before doctors performed emergency surgery overnight to reduce pressure on his swelling brain.

Redmond, Plank said, was alert enough to describe the attack.

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The customer was on a date at the restaurant, 365 N. Illinois St. A police report said it was a blind date.

The couple, Plank said, ordered a hamburger, appetizer, a few beers and a whiskey and cola. The tab was $40.

The customer gave the server a stolen credit card. It was declined.

The customer, Plank said, opened a plastic shopping bag and tried to barter with deodorant and other items.

Redmond refused. The customer left without paying.

Redmond followed him onto Vermont Street.

Sensing the customer might be dangerous, Plank said, Redmond tried to keep some distance.

The customer suddenly lunged and punched, knocking Redmond to the ground and out cold.

Redmond remained in critical condition in the intensive care unit, Plank said.

He drifted in and out of consciousness Wednesday morning, but Plank said the doctors told him Redmond is doing well under the circumstances.

"He's not out of the woods, but his prognosis is better this morning that it was last night," Plank said.

The woman who was on the date stayed behind and spoke to police. Investigators learned later that she provided a false name, Detective Christopher Winter said.

Investigators think they know the suspect's identity, Winter said.

Call IndyStar reporter Vic Ryckaert at (317) 444-2701. Follow him on Twitter: @VicRyc.