Three charged with pistol-whipping, robbing teen at Vernon Hills parks facility

Three men are charged and one still at large in connection with the pistol-whipping and robbery of a 16-year-old boy Thursday at a Vernon Hills Park District maintenance facility, authorities said Sunday.

Charles Lynch, 18, of Lake Villa, Cesar Santos, 18, of Waukegan, and Anthony Watson, 20, of Vernon Hills, are each charged with two counts of aggravated battery and single counts of armed robbery and theft, police said.

All three made initial court appearances over the weekend and are in custody at the Lake County jail pending detention hearings scheduled for Monday afternoon.

According to Vernon Hills police, officers and Countryside Fire Protection District paramedics were called to the area of 1400 Indianwood Drive at about 4:06 p.m. Thursday for a reported robbery victim bleeding from the head.

The boy was taken to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville, where he was treated for a laceration to the head and released, police said.

A police investigation found the 16-year-old had arranged to meet one of the suspects, a man known to him, at a park where they were quickly joined by three other men, authorities said.

A short time later, one member of the group punched the 16-year-old and another struck him on the head with a pistol, police allege. All four suspects ran from the scene with the victim’s property and were last seen fleeing the area in a Dodge Charger, according to police.

Police said evidence uncovered during the investigation indicated the attack was planned.

After pursuing several leads, including witness statements, video surveillance and automated license plate reader data, suspects were identified and three were arrested, police said.

szalusky@dailyherald.com