Arlington Heights man gets 4 years for hammer attack

A 22-year-old Arlington Heights man will spend four years in prison for hitting a man in the head with a hammer during a gang-related altercation in Palatine.

Jose L. Garcia, of the 400 block of East Circle Hill in Arlington Heights, pleaded guilty to aggravated battery Thursday in Rolling Meadows.

Prosecutors say Garcia was one of several men who attacked a 20-year-old man in the early morning hours of July 26, 2008, in the 400 block of Palatine Road. The victim suffered a small subdural hematoma and a small skull fracture, said Cook County Assistant State's Attorney Shandra Leary.

In a statement to the police, Garcia claimed the victim flashed gang signs and grabbed him first, Leary said. At the time of the incident, Garcia was on parole for a 2007 conviction for aggravated fleeing and aggravated battery to a police officer, Leary said. Garcia also had a 2004 conviction for delivery of a controlled substance and a 2007 conviction for mob action, Leary said.

In a statement to the court before sentencing, Garcia apologized to the victim, saying he had been under the influence of alcohol at the time.