Charges filed in district court against man with long criminal history accused in bloody 7-Eleven attack

A man with an extensive criminal history who is out on bond has waived all charges against him during a preliminary hearing in district court for his alleged role in a vicious attack on a 7-Eleven in Lansdale in September.

Ronald Anthony Heitz, no permanent address, 32, faces aggravated assault, attempted simple assault, recklessly endangering another person and defiant trespass, as well as summary charges of harassment and disorderly conduct, for the incident that occurred at the According court documents there are Main Street and Cannon Avenue supermarkets.

During the hearing, Magisterial District Judge Ed Levine changed the bail from $25,077 cash to $25,077 unsecured, and Heitz posted bail on Oct. 23, according to court records.

On Sept. 17 at 5:01 p.m., Lansdale police responded to a 911 call at 7-Eleven, 651 W. Main St., for a fight between two men, police said. While en route, police informed police that one man was bleeding from the head and drifting in and out of consciousness, according to the criminal complaint.

Upon arrival, police found a man matching the suspect’s description and recognized Heitz from previous incidents, police said.

Officers found a man with a head wound on the floor in front of the counter, described as semi-conscious and not alert, police said.

The victim was taken by VMSC Emergency Medical Services to Grand View Hospital for treatment, police said.

Heitz was arrested on suspicion of assault at 5:05 p.m., and he asked what he was being held for, according to the affidavit. “Assault,” the police said. “I didn’t do anything, rewound the cameras,” Heitz allegedly replied.

A witness told authorities that the Heitz and the victim were arguing, during which Heitz allegedly said, “You’re lucky I don’t know you at all,” to which the victim allegedly responded, “Do it.”

Police said Heitz punched the victim in the face, knocked him down and hit his head on the ground. The witness went outside, police said, and asked Heitz, “Why would you do that?” You could have killed him.” Heitz, police allege, said, “No one has it on camera.”

A second witness told police that Heitz was playing the skill games in the back of the store and talking about killing someone, the complaint said. He then asked for help with a skill gaming machine, but the victim, police allege, told Heitz to wait his turn. Police said that’s when Heitz got in the victim’s face and threatened to “hit the hell out of him” before punching the victim.

Surveillance footage showed Heitz, authorities allege, interacting with a clerk and arguing with the victim, whose hands were behind his back. Heitz, police said, continued to argue before striking the victim with a closed fist.

Police said the victim was unable to defend himself or prevent the fall due to the position of his arms.

Heitz had previously been warned for trespassing and had previously been arrested for challenging trespass at the 7-Eleven, police said.

He has two other concurrent cases at the Montgomery County Common Pleas Court level, stemming from two separate drug-related arrests in July 2024 by Lansdale police, according to court records.

Heitz has a criminal history dating back to 2012, including convictions for assault, drug possession, receiving stolen property and challenging trespassing charges.

The formal arraignment in Montgomery County Common Pleas Court is Dec. 4 at 9:30 a.m

All suspects and accused persons are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using public court records.