WASHINGTON (WUSA9) -- A 15-year-old girl was arrested for a robbery and vicious attack on a gay couple aboard a green line train early one November morning.
On November 22, the victim, identified as 43-year-old Joseph Cowart, ran off the Green Line to get police.
"They were picking at me because I'm handicapped," said Cowart, who was beaten by a group of teens he claims were spewing gay slurs.
Days after a group of teens beating, Cowart talked to WUSA9 reporter Scott Broom. He told WUSA9 it all started when he and his partner intervened when the teens tried to rob a 14-year-old.
PREVIOUS STORY: Woman questioned in attack on gay couple on Green Line train
Seven weeks later, Metro police say they arrested the ringleader.
According to police, the girl mocked Cowart's disability - he had a stroke - called him slurs and started the beat down.
"In the District of Columbia, juveniles are handled in a totally different process than adults," Metro spokesman Dan Stessel said. "The juvenile process usually takes significantly longer."
Surveillance video and tips led police to the teen. This is the fifth case of a group of teens robbing and beating or just plain violently beating a rider.
Some riders think Metro should have a police officer at every station.
"There are 500 Metro Transit Police officers that are out on the system every single day," Stessel said.
Metro said despite these crimes, serious crimes been lower the last two years than in the last eight.
The 15-year-old teen is charged with felony assault and robbery.
Metro says some of the cases they are trying to solve may be linked and are trying to solve each one.
As far as prevention, Metro police say if you do see a group of teens acting increasingly disorderly, one thing you can do is text the dispatch center at MYMTPD. It's manned and they say they'll text you back in real time.
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