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| A “candy kid” sold Skittles near Wrigley Field in 2018. |
A 14-year-old boy is facing felony charges after he knocked a Chicago Cubs security guard unconscious outside Wrigley Field on Friday afternoon, police said. The incident was the second in ten days that involved “candy kids” who flood the neighborhood on game days and frequently unleash violence on passersby, patrons, and employees of nearby businesses.
The Cubs security officer was found unconscious outside of the left field gate around 3:50 p.m. on Friday, according to a source. An investigation found that the boy “sucker punched” the guard after being asked not to sell candy on stadium property, a source said. The Cubs security officer blacked out from the punch, went limp, and fell to the ground.
Chicago police said the security officer was transported to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center for treatment. The teen has been charged with aggravated battery of a peace officer.
The Cubs did not respond to a request for comment.
Around 4:10 p.m. on April 25th, a group of “candy kids” punched several adults outside of Sports World, 3555 North Clark. Two juveniles were detained in that incident.
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| A “candy kid” prepares to sucker-punch a woman near Wrigley in 2018. |
“They are all back,” a local restaurant manager said on Saturday. “Sometimes four or five kids will surround a few intoxicated patrons. It’s all a matter of time before something happened.”
“A lot more kids this year,” the manager continued. “Some older guys are waking the block giving the kids direction. They don’t work alone. Tough kids, they won’t listen.”
Last August, ten juveniles between 13- and 16-years-old were arrested for mob action, retail theft, assault, and similar charges for a series of attacks along Clark Street. Video showed teens charging at local doormen, climbing through patio windows, and throwing objects into crowds.
