Aurora man charged with punching two at restaurant

A 22-year-old Aurora man was charged Thursday with aggravated battery after authorities say he punched a customer and an employee at a restaurant last month.

Anthony Potochney, of the 200 block of Keck Avenue, was arrested Wednesday and charged with felony aggravated battery to an elderly person and misdemeanor battery.

Aurora police said Potochney walked into the La Flama De Oro restaurant at 746 S. Lincoln Ave. about 4 p.m. on Oct. 7, and he started talking to a 66-year-old man. The conversation ended with Potochney punching the man in the head, according to police.

A 44-year-old restaurant employee came to the aid of the older man, and Potochney punched him in the head, too, police said.

Both men sustained minor injuries, police said, and neither knew the suspect.

Potochney left the establishment on foot, police said.

It wasn’t until Nov. 5 when Aurora police released surveillance photos of the suspect that they received an anonymous tip from someone who saw the photos in the media and identified Potochney, authorities said.

Potochney was arrested without incident about 2:45 p.m. Wednesday near Douglas and Parker avenues.

His bond was set at $20,000. He is due in court again Nov. 14.