Chicago — A 73-year-old Lakeview man remains hospitalized after he was severely beaten and robbed, apparently while confronting a package thief in his apartment building, according to Chicago police and a source.
It happened around 8:30 Thursday morning in the 700 block of West California Terrace, a short, gated street that intersects with the 3100 block of North Halsted.
The victim told police he was in the vestibule of his building when the robber approached him from behind and demanded his property, according to a Chicago police spokesperson. Police said the robber then punched the man in his face, back and groin and hit the victim in the head with a screwdriver. He then took the victim’s wallet and fled.
EMS took the victim to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center in fair condition, according to the police spokesperson.
But a source provided additional detail, saying the victim interrupted a thief who was going through packages in the building vestibule.
“The perp turned on him, spraying him in the face with mace, and then proceeded to punch and kick him,” the source said, adding that the victim suffered head injuries and multiple broken bones. He remained hospitalized on Saturday.
A witness saw the attacker, described only as a young Black male, run from the scene and jump a fence near Briar Street.
Area Three detectives are in charge of the investigation.
