Police await test results in Planet Fitness beating case

Surveillance video shows the suspect, left, approaching his victim just prior to the attack.

COPYRIGHT2017© ROCHESTER - The suspect in the brutal beating of a Rochester Planet Fitness employee remains free today while police await test results on items seized in the case.

The suspect, who is in his 20s, has not been identified. He was interviewed by police back on June 23, then sought legal counsel soon after, Rochester Police Capt. Jason Thomas said last week.

Thomas said today that five separate search warrants were executed on the suspect, but wouldn't elaborate on what property was searched or seized.

Eighteen-year-old Erin McCarthy of Rochester has gone public on social media stating she is the woman seen punched in the back of the head June 12 as she left the North Main Street Planet Fitness around 10 p.m. after her shift was over.

Surveillance video captured the entire minute and a half beating that included nearly 40 blows to the head and torso, but police have only released a short clip that shows the suspected methodically getting out of his car as McCarthy is seen walking toward hers.

The suspect then can be seen walking up to her from behind and delivering a right hand to the back of her head.

Facebook posts by McCarthy, a PF service rep, suggest the suspect waited for her in the parking lot for about eight hours, however Thomas said last week he couldn't comment on that aspect as it is also currently under investigation.

A police press release indicates she was punched multiple times and thrown to the ground after which the male suspect got in his car and drove away.