Oak Brook man charged in bombing

An 84-year-old Oak Brook man was ordered Thursday to remain in jail at least until a bond hearing next week on charges he helped plan the bombing of a Berwyn business in 2003.

The man, Samuel Volpendesto, and Mark Polchan, 41, of Justice were rounded up Wednesday as part of a multi-county raid on several locations, including Outlaws Motorcycle clubhouses in Elgin, Chicago and Kankakee, according to the U.S. attorney's office.

Also raided were Polchan's home; a pawnshop he owns in Cicero, Goldberg's Jewelers; and a Westchester residence.

Both men pleaded not guilty Thursday in an appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Susan Cox.

Attorney Alex Salerno said Volpendesto was not a member of the Outlaws.

"He couldn't even get his leg over a motorcycle," said Salerno, who told Cox his client has bladder cancer, high blood pressure and has to use an oxygen machine while sleeping.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys T. Markus Funk and Amarjeet S. Bachu moved to hold both men without bond, arguing they are flight risks and threats to the community.

The bond hearing will be held on Wednesday.

Funk said the government may play video and audio recordings to show the strength of the case against the two men.

Funk was the assistant U.S. attorney who helped successfully prosecute mobster Joseph "The Clown" Lombardo recently.

Also in court were FBI agents who specialize in organized crime. Salerno said he did not know if the case would make any allegations of links to organized crime.

An indictment accuses both men of three charges: conspiring to destroy property by means of an explosive, destroying property by means of an explosive, and carrying a pipe bomb during the commission of a crime.

The bombing took place Feb. 25, 2003, outside C & S Coin Operated Amusements at 6508 W. 16th St. in Berwyn. The building was damaged, but no one was injured.

Last year, Kyle C. Knight of Merrillville, Ind., was charged with supplying the explosives to make the device. He pleaded not guilty, and his trial is pending.

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