Girlfriend testifies against attack suspect

The getaway driver for the man accused of the 2010 beating of two women with a baseball bat in Chicago linked Heriberto Viramontes to the crime.

The 33-year-old Viramontes is charged with attempted murder, aggravated battery and armed robbery in the beating of Stacy Juirch and Natasha McShane, an Irish exchange student.

The Chicago Sun-Times reports Viramontes’ former girlfriend, Marcy Cruz, testified Monday they drove to Chicago’s crowded Bucktown neighborhood where Viramontes told her he “wanted to rob them,” referring to people on the street.

Cruz said Viramontes grabbed a wooden bat and jumped out of the car. When he returned, he was carrying two purses, she said.

Cruz has pleaded guilty to attempted murder charges and will be sentenced to 11 years in prison for each count after testifying.