Arrest warrant issued in Commons beating incident

Michael K. Elliott (Courtesy photo)

ROCHESTER - Rochester Police are asking for the public’s help in bringing in their Most Wanted of the Week, a transient wanted on felony riot charges as well as several other misdemeanors.

Michael K. Elliott, 21, a transient from the area, is described as 5-foot-7, weighing 140 pounds with brown eyes and brown hair. He has a tattoo on his left forearm that says, “ELLIOT.”

Elliott is wanted on the riot charge as well as five misdemeanor counts of simple assault, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.

He is a suspect in an incident at the Rochester Commons on Aug. 4 in which he and two other suspects are alleged to have viciously punched and kicked a victim, not stopping until police arrived.

One of the other suspects in the case, Shamel Jackson Dickson, 19, of 8 Lafayette St., Rochester, who is also charged with felony riot, was video arraigned on Thursday, but told Rochester District Court judge Susan Ashley he was nowhere near the Commons when the alleged beating occurred.

Shamel Jackson Dickson at his video arraignment on Thursday in Rochester District Court. (Lebanon Voice/Harrison Thorp photo)

“I wasn’t even there,” he said. “I don’t even hang out with those people,” he added, referring to Elliott and another suspect, William York.

Dickson said he had Facebook posts that would prove his innocence and asked to be put in a lineup so witnesses could verify it wasn’t him.

Dickson’s bail was set at $5,000 cash but can be converted to personal recognizance if he is accepted into the Strafford County Community Corrections program.

Meanwhile, if tipsters know where Elliott is, they are asked to call the Rochester Police Department at 603-330-7128. They can also remain anonymous by calling the Rochester Crimeline at 603-335-6500 or text to CRIMES (274637) at type Text4Cash in the body of the text followed by your tip. Tips through Crimeline leading to an arrest may receive a cash reward.