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Students attack homeless man, lie about it, police say

ORLANDO, Fla. — Two middle school students said they were attacked by a homeless man on their way to school, but police said they were the ones who attacked him. 
 
The students claimed that the man tried to steal a phone from one of them while walking along La Costa Drive, but an Orlando Police Department release said the students committed battery on the man.

"I think they should get punished, like everybody else gets punished," Orlando resident Jason Santiago said.

Officers said they don’t have a good description of the homeless man and are still searching for him.

The school's principal sent a robo call to families about the incident and told them to remind their children about "stranger danger" and how to be aware of their surroundings.

The students' names will not be made public unless they are charged with a felony. Police said they're investigating a battery and false report.

Stonewall Jackson Middle School said the incident is a law enforcement matter because it happened off campus.