Newark Mugger Dies After Trying To Rob Former Wrestler: Cops

Gian Davis

By PIX11 NEWSROOM pix11.com | @wpix

8:03 p.m. EST, February 6, 2012
NEWARK, NJ (PIX11)—
A Newark mugger died early Saturday after trying to rip off a former high school wrestler, according to reports.

Around 1:30 a.m., Gian Davis, 30, approached two college students who were walking along Bloomfield Ave., according to The Star-Ledger. Davis reportedly asked to use one of their cell phones to call a cab.

The students refused to hand a phone over, but offered to call a cab for Davis, who then appeared to offer his hand in thanks. Instead, he allegedly grabbed the phone and began punching one of the students in the head.

The second student -- a former wrestler -- grabbed Davis by "placing a hold with both arms to restrain the suspect from further injuring his friend," stated a police report. While Davis was in the hold the other student called the police. According to NBC, the student had Davis in a headlock that was so tight he lost consciousness.

Davis was unresponsive when police arrived, and was pronounced dead an hour later at University Hospital, according to reports.

The case is still under investigation.