A St. Paul man is accused of giving a concussion to a nationally known comedian last month after punching him in the face at a bar on University Avenue, authorities say.
Anthony Charles Deberry, 35, then took off with the comedian’s wallet, which contained about $700 as well as Josh Blue’s credit cards and driver’s license, according to the criminal complaint filed against Deberry on Thursday in Ramsey County District Court.
Deberry faces one count of first-degree aggravated robbery in the alleged assault.
Blue, a St. Paul native, was in town for a gig at the Joke Joint Comedy Club when he and some acquaintances stopped in at Hot Rods Bar & Grill on University Avenue around 9 p.m. July 17.
Two hours later, while Blue was in the bathroom, Deberry approached him, punched him twice in the face with a closed fist, and fled with his wallet, charges say.
A bar employee told police that Deberry, a regular at the establishment, was the assailant.
A woman walking her dog in the area the next day found Blue’s wallet with his cash missing, according to the complaint.
Police arrested Deberry this week.
In an interview with officers, he admitted to punching Blue but said he did so only once and that he stole $79 in cash that he found in the comedian’s pocket, the complaint said.
He denied taking his wallet and said Blue provoked the assault by “disrespect(ing)” him, charges say.
Blue went to the emergency room after the incident, where he was treated for a bump above his left eyebrow and diagnosed with a mild concussion, the complaint said.
Blue, 38, graduated from Como Park Senior High School. He who won TV’s “Last Comic Standing” in 2006 and now tours the globe doing about 250 shows a year, he recently told the Pioneer Press.