A Chicago man has been jailed to await trial on allegations that he beat another man to death with a Grey Goose vodka bottle during a robbery in Belmont Cragin. Judge Barbara Dawkins ordered Oscar Cruz, 43, held as a public safety threat at the state’s request, according to court records.
Prosecutors told Dawkins that Cruz and Peter S. Krzystyniak, 55, were homeless when they walked into a shed in the 5700 block of West Diversey last Sunday. Surveillance video showed Cruz coming and going from the structure several times, but Krzystyniak never reemerged, officials said.
At some point on Sunday night or Monday morning, Cruz attacked Krzystyniak, striking him several times in the head with a Grey Goose bottle, according to court documents filed by prosecutors.
Someone who works in the area discovered Krzystyniak’s body Monday morning. The Cook County medical examiner determined he died from craniocerebral injuries.
Cruz had Krzystyniak’s backpack, phone, computer, and wallet when Chicago police arrested him in the 5600 block of West Fullerton on Monday afternoon, prosecutors said.
He allegedly admitted to hitting Krzystyniak with the bottle but claimed Krzystyniak pushed him.
Prosecutors charged Cruz with first-degree murder and armed robbery.
Original reporting you’ll see nowhere else, paid for by our readers. Click here to support our work.
