Local

80 Year Old Man Robbed, Pushed to Ground – Juveniles Charged


Updated Friday, October 12, 3:15 p.m.

Charges Include Robbery, Aggravated Battery, Hate Crime

Park Forest, IL—(ENEWSPF)— The Park Forest Police Department announced the arrest of two 14 year old juveniles in connection with the robbery of an 80 year old disabled senior citizen that occurred on September 24th, 2007 at 4:40 p.m. at 101 Main St. Park Forest, a senior assisted living facility. The victim, an 80 year old male who uses a walker, was allegedly attacked by two youths who pulled his walker from him and allegedly pushed him to the ground, breaking his hip. The offenders forcibly took his wallet and fled scene, according to a press release issued today by the Park Forest Police Department.

On Monday, September 24, officers were dispatched to the 100 block of Main Street to investigate a complaint of robbery. Upon arrival, officers spoke with the victim, an 80 year old man.

According to the police report, the victim said he went to CVS pharmacy to buy his medication along with some personal items. Approximately 20 minutes later, after he was finished shopping, he exited the store to make his way back to his residence in the 100 block of Main Street, according to the report. As he entered the parking lot to his building, he was approached by three unknown male subjects. The three subjects, who appeared to be juveniles, allegedly pulled his walker away and pushed him to the ground. Once on the ground, the subjects allegedly removed his wallet and an empty black carryall bag. The victim stated there was no money in his wallet but it did contain his medical card.

A witness reported hearing the subject making exclamations, stating, "Oh! Oh!", according to the police report. He looked outside his place of employment and observed the victim falling to the ground, with three male subjects standing around him. He observed one of the subjects allegedly take a black bag from the victim and began running northbound.

The victim suffered a broken hip in the incident. He was taken to St. James Hospital in Chicago Heights.

Park Forest Police, Patrol and Investigations Divisions initiated a Village wide community search to find the perpetrators of this attack. Investigating Officers did obtain several substantial leads over the last two weeks. With the assistance of the community, two 14 year old juveniles were identified as allegedly having “bragged” to friends about beating and robbing the victim. On Thursday, October 11, 2007, the offenders were taken into custody. While being interviewed by Juvenile Officers, both offenders allegedly confessed that they believed the elderly gentleman would not be able to resist them due to his having to use a walker.

Yesterday afternoon, the Cook County States Attorney’s Office, approved that both juvenile offenders are to be charged with aggravated battery, robbery (senior victim enhanced) and a hate crime (a visibly handicapped victim). Both juvenile offenders were transported to the Cook County Detention Center and appeared in the Juvenile Division of the Markham Court House. Judge Michael Stutley ordered both offenders held for trail.

Sources: Park Forest Police Department Press Release, Police Report on the incident


ARCHIVES