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

A man with an extensive criminal history who was out on bail waived all charges against him in district court at a preliminary hearing for his alleged role in a violent attack at a 7-Eleven in Lansdale in September.

Ronald Anthony Heitz, 32, of no fixed address, faces misdemeanor charges of aggravated assault, attempted simple assault, reckless endangerment of another person and trespassing, as well as summary charges of harassment and disorderly conduct in connection with the incident. Main Street and Cannon Boulevard grocery stores, according to court documents.

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

Police say at 5:01 p.m., Sept. 17, Lansdale Police responded to 7-Eleven, 651 W. Main St., regarding a fight in progress between two men. He said he responded to the emergency call at. While on the road, police reported that a man was bleeding from his head and was in and out of consciousness, according to the criminal complaint.

Police said when they arrived at the scene, they found a man matching the description of the suspect and recognized Heitz from previous incidents.

Police said officers found a man on the ground in front of the counter, semi-conscious and not alert.

Police said the victim was taken to Grand View Hospital for treatment by VMSC Emergency Medical Services.

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

A witness told authorities Heitz and the victim got into an argument, and Heitz said, “You’re lucky I don’t know you,” to which the victim responded, “Just do it.”

Police said Heitz punched the victim in the face, knocking him out and hitting his head on the ground. Police said the witness went outside and asked Heitz: “Why did you do that? You could have killed him.” Police allege Heitz said, “Nobody caught this on camera.”

A second witness told police Heitz was playing games of skill in the back of the store and talked about killing someone, according to the complaint. He then asked for help with the skill game machine, but the victim told Heitz to wait his turn, police allege. That’s when Heitz got in the victim’s face and threatened to “knock him out” before attacking the victim, police said.

Surveillance footage shows Heitz interacting with a clerk and arguing with the victim, who had his hands behind his back, authorities allege. Police said Heitz continued arguing before striking the victim with a closed fist.

Police said it was not possible for the victim to defend himself or prevent himself from falling due to the position of his arms.

Police said Heitz had previously been cited for trespassing and had previously been arrested for trespassing at a 7-Eleven.

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

Heitz has a criminal history dating back to 2012; these include robbery by force, felony drug possession and misdemeanor receiving stolen property, and trespassing charges.

A formal hearing in Montgomery County Common Pleas Court is scheduled for December 4 at 9:30 a.m.

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