Suspect sought in Addison home invasion, fire poker attack

Authorities say a $50 debt sparked the severe beating of an Addison man who was attacked inside his home with an unusual weapon — a fire poker.

Police on Wednesday were still looking for Runaldo Ramsey, 32, of Chicago, who is accused of carrying out the beating on the 900 block of South Addison Road.

According to court records, Ramsey choked the victim, threw him into a television set, bashed him in the head with a beer bottle, and stabbed him in the arms, foot, back, face and head with a poker from an outdoor fire pit. The poker was not hot, authorities said.

A DuPage County grand jury on Tuesday indicted Ramsey, who remained at large, on charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, home invasion, and criminal property damage. Authorities said a warrant has been issued, and police are actively seeking his arrest.

The alleged attack happened shortly after midnight the morning of June 9. Authorities said they believe Ramsey was trying to collect a $50 debt when he entered the victim’s home and beat him relentlessly.

The victim, who is in his 40s, was injured so badly that he had to be hospitalized. Authorities said he has since recovered, though records indicate he was permanently disfigured.

Ramsey, of the 2400 block of West Taylor Street, has been convicted of misdemeanor domestic battery in DuPage twice since 2010 and was on probation for that offense at the time of the home invasion, court records show. A third domestic battery case filed against him last year was dismissed.