West Chicago man charged in hammer attack that leaves victim in coma

A West Chicago man accused of attacking another man with a hammer is being held on $750,000 bond in DuPage County jail, authorities said Thursday.

Javier Garcia, 20, of the 300 block of Wilson, is charged with two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon after authorities said he repeatedly struck the victim with a hammer, leaving the man in a coma.

Police said Garcia and three others drove to a home on Windsor Drive in Glendale Heights at 2:07 p.m. Tuesday where a friend of the victim lived.

They said Garcia approached the victim and another man who were outside the house and, when he got within five or 10 feet, threw a large hammer at the victim, striking him in the head and knocking him out. Garcia then picked up the hammer and struck the victim multiple times, including once in the chest and once more in the head.

Garcia then got back in the vehicle and rode away.

The victim, who was airlifted to a hospital, is in a coma with multiple fractures to his face and skull, authorities said.

Glendale Heights police investigated the attack and a short time later Bloomingdale police, after hearing a radio description of the vehicle, stopped it and brought Garcia and the others to the Glendale Heights Police Department.

"The allegations against Mr. Garcia are extremely serious and will not be tolerated," DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a written statement. "Hopefully the victim in this case will recover from the senseless and brutal attack allegedly inflicted upon him by Mr. Garcia."

Glendale Heights Chief Doug Flint praised residents who assisted officers in their investigation.

"It is because of them we were able to bring a swift and safe conclusion to our investigation resulting in the arrest of Mr. Garcia," he said.

Garcia is scheduled to be arraigned on June 18 in front of Judge George Bakalis.