advertisement

3 accused of attacking man after South Elgin Riverfest

A 71-year-old man suffered a serious eye injury after he was beaten by three men while cleaning up after South Elgin Riverfest early Sunday, officials said.

The three men were later arrested after they beat up and robbed another man in Elgin, Elgin Police Cmdr. Glenn Theriault said Tuesday.

Oscar E. Villagomez, 35, of the 100 block of Mallery Avenue, Elgin; Andres Sanchez, 17, of the 6000 block of Grace Street, Elgin; and Pedro Miranda, 18, of the 1200 block of Scott Avenue, Chicago Heights, were charged with felony robbery, according to court documents.

Miranda was in court Monday morning, where his bail was set at $25,000, according to court documents.

Sanchez and Villagomez were too intoxicated to be in court Monday morning, so they were in court Tuesday morning, Theriault said. Sanchez's bail was set at $25,000, while Villagomez's bail was set at $70,000, court documents show.

All three were being held Tuesday night in Kane County jail. They are next due in court Aug. 30.

The 71-year-old man was punched and kicked at about 6:15 a.m. at State and River streets, South Elgin police Sgt. Mike Flaningam said. The man walked across the bridge to the nearby fire station and was taken to the hospital. He was later discharged and is recovering at home, Flaningam said.

Police don't know what prompted the attack and are still investigating, he said, adding that no charges have been filed in connection to the South Elgin beating.

Shortly after leaving South Elgin, the men drove to Elgin and beat up and robbed a man of his cellphone at Festival Park, Theriault said. Police stopped the men in a car matching the description given by the second victim, and the stolen cellphone was recovered, according to a police report.

The investigation and interviews with the men determined they were involved in the South Elgin beating, Theriault said.

The man working in South Elgin suffered an eye injury to the extent it's uncertain if his vision will be permanently affected, according to a village employee.

The Elgin chapter of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows has volunteered to help the 71-year-old man, said member David Martin. The chapter is based in South Elgin.

Martin said he learned of the beating a few hours after it happened as he was on his way to volunteer for Riverfest cleanup.

“Whatever he needs help with ... help with a ride, with the lawn mower,” Martin said. “I put our lodge at his disposal.”

Oscar Villagomez
Pedro Miranda
Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.