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| Tyrone Leverson | CPD |
A man who allegedly carjacked a homeless shelter van driver in River North on Nov. 10th, but was not charged because the victim felt prosecution would conflict with his mission, is now charged with beating and robbing a 26-year-old man in River North last week.
Prosecutors said 32-year-old Tyrone Leverson’s latest victim was walking near Huron and State around 1 a.m. on Dec. 3rd when Leverson approached him, displayed a bag of crack in his mouth, and offered to sell the man drugs. When the victim declined, Leverson allegedly reached into the man’s pants pockets and took his phone and debit card.
The victim called for help from a nearby building and then ran after Leverson, who was walking southbound on State Street. Witnesses told police that the victim caught up with Leverson who then beat the victim in the face, causing swelling and bruising.
Leverson was arrested a few minutes later in a parking garage in the 600 block of North State after he was identified by witnesses and the victim, police said.
Police said in a report that they found the victim’s debit card and phone in Leverson’s possession along with $287 cash and over $1,000 worth of suspected crack cocaine. Leverson is a Black P-Stone gang member, according to police.
Prosecutors charged Leverson with felony robbery, felony possession of a controlled substance, and battery. Judge John Lyke ordered him held without bail.
On Nov. 10th, a Good Samaritan who was trying to give homeless people rides to a shelter wound up being stabbed when Leverson, a passenger in his van, carjacked the vehicle, police said.
The 39-year-old victim was driving his personal van on lower Michigan Avenue at Hubbard Street around 8:20 a.m. to find homeless people in need of showering and services at a local shelter, police said. At some point, Leverson pulled out a large knife and cut the driver repeatedly, forcing the man out of the vehicle.
Police said the victim held onto the van’s side as the Leverson drove away. The vehicle crashed nearby with the victim still holding onto its side, police said. Leverson fled from the crash scene and was later taken into custody by officers near Michigan Avenue and Upper Wacker Drive. Police said he had blood on his hands when they found him.
The victim refused to sign any complaints against Leverson but prosecutors proceeded with charges of unlawful use of a weapon and reckless conduct, according to a CPD statement. Leverson posted a $150 deposit bond to go free to await trial, according to police records.
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