An 85-year-old woman has returned home after being knocked unconscious by a looming mugger who flung her to the ground and stole her purse near the Mag Mile on Tuesday morning.
And prosecutors have now charged a ten-time convicted felon with the attack, which was caught on surveillance video.
Tony Davis, who was paroled in February, is charged with robbery and aggravated battery of a victim over the age of 60. Judge Arthur Willis ordered him held without bail.
Prosecutors said the woman was returning to her Michigan Avenue condo after making a trip to a nearby UPS Store when Davis walked up behind her and violently pulled on her purse’s shoulder strap around 10:30 a.m.
Davis’ power — he stands 6’1” tall and weighs 240 pounds, according to state records — sent the sprightly woman flying to the ground with enough force to render her unconscious, prosecutors said. Once the woman was down, the attacker continued to yank on her purse until the strap broke, video shows.
Doctors at Northwestern Memorial Hospital used three staples to close a gash on the back of the woman’s head. Cops paid her a visit at home Friday so she could sign complaints against Davis.
The same officers arrested Davis hours earlier when they recognized him as he slept on a bus stop near State and Illinois streets in River North. Investigators who later searched his home found a distinctive red hat and shoes that the attacker wore, prosecutors said.
Davis was paroled in February after serving half of a two-year sentence for narcotics. His previous prison sentences include:
- 1 year for retail theft in 2016
- 2 years for aggravated battery of a merchant in 2014
- 1 year for retail theft in 2013
- 2 years for theft in 2012
- 6 years for burglary in 2008
- 6 years for burglary in 2005
- 6 years for burglary in 1999
- 3 years for burglary in 1997
- 6 years for armed robbery in 1993
Based on his extensive background, Davis qualifies for Class X felony status upon conviction, prosecutors said. Class X sentences range from six to 30 years, and 85% of the time must be served before parole is possible.
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