Suspect accused of assaulting men over shovel, snowblower in Aurora

A man who assaulted two men over a shovel and a snowblower has been charged with robbery and aggravated battery, Aurora police said.

About 8:15 a.m. Thursday, Ronald Phipps, 21, of the 500 block of Woodlawn Avenue, attempted to steal a shovel from a 66-year-old man shoveling show outside an auto repair business in the 100 block of North Loucks Street on the city's near east side, police said in a release.

The victim told police Phipps demanded the shovel before punching him in the face, grabbing the shovel and taking off around a nearby building, the news release said. As the victim attempted to enter a nearby business, Phipps appeared and punched the man a second time, police said. After a third struggle, the victim was able to enter the business and lock the door, police said.

Phipps dropped the shovel and drove away, police said.

About an hour later, Phipps approached a 71-year-old man using a snowblower on the 1600 block of Trafalger Lane on the far east side and demanded the snowblower, police said. The victim told police that Phipps punched him in the chest, and in return he kicked Phipps twice, according to the news release. Phipps took the snowblower and left, police said.

About 9:20 a.m., police spotted Phipps' green, 2003 Ford Explorer near Trafalger and Ridge Road. After initially not pulling over for police, he eventually stopped near Montgomery Road and Cumberland Avenue, police said.

The snowblower was found in a driveway of the 2400 block of Ridge Road, police said.

The Kane County state's attorney's office charged Phipps with three counts of aggravated battery. In DuPage County, he was charged with single counts of aggravated battery, robbery, fleeing and eluding police and not having a valid driver's license.

Phipps is being held on $150,000 bail in the DuPage County jail.