Mount Prospect men charged with beating cabbie

Two men who prosecutors say pummeled a cabdriver after he drove them from Rolling Meadows to Mount Prospect appeared in bond court Monday.

A Cook County judge set bail at $75,000 for Miguel Salas, 24, and $50,000 for Juan Martinez, 25. Both are charged with aggravated battery, a class-three felony punishable by two to five years in prison, or probation. Salas is also charged with attempted robbery, prosecutors said.

Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney Bill Cotter said the cabbie picked up Salas, of the 1900 block of W. Algonquin Road in Mount Prospect, and Martinez, of the 2000 block of W. Algonquin Road in Mount Prospect, about 10:55 p.m. Saturday and drove them to 2070 W. Algonquin Road in Mount Prospect, where they paid the fare.

Salas, who was sitting behind the driver, is accused of then wrapping his left arm around the cabbie’s neck and punching him, Cotter said. The victim extricated himself, exited the car and called the police, Cotter said. Outside the car, Salas confronted the victim again and began punching him while Martinez held the victim from behind, Cotter said.

Police observed the beating when they arrived, Cotter said. At that point, the defendants fled but were apprehended soon after, he said.

Salas was on parole following a one-year sentenced for aggravated DUI, Cotter said.

The defendants next appear in court on Aug. 16.