The Concord police have arrested a homeless man and woman on charges they tried to kill another homeless man by beating him and throwing him into the Merrimack River on Wednesday night.

A third man, who isn't homeless, was also arrested yesterday and charged with conspiring to murder the 19-year-old man, who was still at Concord Hospital last night but expected to recover.

The police believe the three decided to beat and kill the 19-year-old "to rob him of his boots," said Lt. Keith Mitchell. The plan, Mitchell said, "was to basically beat this guy, steal his boots and dispose of his body in the river."

Thomas Croswell, 42, Jamie Locke, 33, and Robert Potter, 42, were each charged with conspiracy to commit murder, second-degree assault and robbery. Croswell and Locke were also charged with attempted murder.

The police issued a statement late last night regarding the arrests, and Mitchell said he couldn't say much more. But he said no weapons were involved in the beating, just "punching and kicking."

The suspects know each other through the homeless camp behind Everett Arena, near where the 19-year-old was thrown into the river, Mitchell said. He said he didn't know if the 19-year-old, whom he wouldn't identify, had been staying at that camp.

The police got a call just after 8 p.m. Wednesday from someone "who said a person was beaten badly down at the homeless camp and thrown into the river," Mitchell said.

Mitchell wouldn't say whether the caller lived at the camp or explain how he or she learned of the beating.

"You wouldn't be able to see from Loudon Road," Mitchell said. "It was a very steep embankment they threw this individual from into the river."

When the police arrived, they found the 19-year-old unconscious in the river with "numerous injuries," according to the statement released last night. Firefighters helped pull him from the water, and the man was taken to Concord Hospital.

As of last night, Mitchell said, "it looks like he's going to make a full recovery."

The police arrested Croswell and Locke yesterday along with another homeless person, Robert Brown, 39, who Mitchell said was not involved in the murder attempt. All three were charged with resisting arrest when the police found them in a friend's apartment in the Vegas Block building at 154 N. Main St.

Potter was arrested at the Wendy's Restaurant on Loudon Road.

Croswell, Locke and Potter were held and are expected to be arraigned Monday in Concord District Court. Brown, who refused bail, is also scheduled to be arraigned Monday.

The police are asking anyone with information to call 225-8600 or leave an anonymous tip by calling the Concord Regional Crimeline at 226-3100.

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