White Sox fan beat by Cubs fans, loses eye
Two of three Chicago Cubs fans who allegedly beat up a White Sox fan during a child's birthday party last week are expected to appear in a McHenry County courthouse late next month, officials said.
Boguslaw "Bob" Czapla, 37, of Elmwood Park, and his brother, Jaroslaw "Jerry" Czapla, 31, of Huntley, are scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Aug. 26.
If the third Cub fan - Maciej "Mike" Trojnar, 33, of Elmwood Park - is arrested prior to the court date, it's expected he will join the other two in court.
The three were charged after taunting, then physically harming Robert Steele, 32, of Gurnee, police said. Steele's nose and orbital bone were broken in a fight that took place July 19, Huntley police officials said. Steele also lost his right eye after getting kicked in the face with a steel-toed boot.
Boguslaw Czapla has been charged with mob action and aggravated battery for his role in the fight, while Jaroslaw Czapla and Trojnar were charged with mob action and battery.
However, it's expected a McHenry County grand jury will hand out indictments against the three before their scheduled court date. If so, the preliminary court hearing will change to an arraignment.
The three are accused of beating Steele at a Sesame Street-themed birthday party for Steele's fiancee's 2-year-old niece, Huntley Deputy Police Chief Todd Fulton said.
The three men allegedly started teasing Steele that White Sox fans had missing teeth and things started to escalate, said Steele's fiancee, April Bieze.
"We were going to leave, but they convinced us that they were just joking around," she said.
The event took place at Jaroslaw Czapla's home, and Fulton said the four men knew each other well and all had been drinking at the party.
"Alcohol definitely played a role in the fight," he said. "It's definitely a weird situation."
The taunting got worse and more personal throughout the afternoon as the men drank, Fulton said.
Bieze said the argument turned into a fight that involved all four men.
During the scuffle, Steele was kicked in the face with a steel-toed boot, Fulton said. Steele was released after spending several days at an Elgin hospital.
Trojnar is at large with a warrant issued for his arrest, Fulton said. The Czapla brothers are free on bond.
If convicted of the counts against them, Boguslaw Czapla could spend up to five years in prison, while the other two could spend up to three years behind bars.
"I dont think they'll be friends anymore," Fulton said. "But, stranger things have happened."
Jaroslaw Czapla's number was unlisted. There were no listings for Boguslaw Czapla or Trojnar.
Steele said he will be fitted for a glass eye and need more surgeries.
"Any mirrors I go by, I don't look in the mirror," Steele said. "I don't want that to affect me, to see myself like that."
• Daily Herald news services contributed to this report.