Man stabbed outside Arlington Heights library

Arlington Heights police have taken a man into custody for stabbing a homeless man outside the Arlington Heights Memorial Library Saturday.

The Cook County state's attorney's office is in the process of approving charges against the 51-year-old man, who is also homeless, police said Sunday.

Police said the man and the victim were arguing outside the library, at 500 N. Dunton Ave., shortly after 5:30 p.m.

"At one point, the offender used some sort of a sharp-edged weapon against the victim, which caused serious injury," said Arlington Heights police Cmdr. Nicholas Pecora.

The injuries were serious enough to warrant surgery at Northwest Community Hospital, Pecora said. The victim was listed in fair condition Sunday night, hospital officials said.

Police plan to release more details about the case Monday morning.

A witness, Tim Hanley, who also lives on the streets, said the victim was "talking trash, being real belligerent and (uttering) racist slurs like you wouldn't believe."

Hanley said the man listened for 15 minutes before he snapped.

Ken Franklin, who knows the suspect, said the man was just looking after himself and not letting the victim abuse him.

"He's not a horrible guy," Franklin added about the man. "I have sat on a bench with (him) for three hours. I'm like, 'What are you doing?' He's like, 'I'm watching TV.' And he's just watching cars go by and he's watching people."

Another street person, Anthony Duffy, said the man has been known to hang out at the downtown Arlington Heights train station.

No one from the Arlington Heights Memorial Library was available for comment Sunday. The news was upsetting to some library patrons.

"Arlington Heights is pretty quiet, so it was just surprising to hear it," said library patron Jamie Schoessling. "I have a feeling it was just a single incident. I feel pretty safe in Arlington Heights."