Waukegan man charged in Wheeling attack

A Waukegan man who is on probation for property damage and has a mob action case pending was ordered held on $90,000 bond Friday on new charges that he struck another man in a gang-related attack in Wheeling, officials said.

Christian Longsworth, 19, was charged with aggravated robbery and mob action. Prosecutors said they also intend to file aggravated battery charges against Longsworth, who could face up to 15 years in prison if convicted.

Cook County assistant state's attorney David Shin said Longsworth and two juveniles approached a man walking home from work at 4:18 p.m. Oct. 22 near Manchester Drive and Anita Place in Wheeling and demanded he tell them his gang affiliation.

The man refused and Longsworth threatened him, Shin said, "causing the victim alarm and making him believe the defendant had a knife."

When the man attempted to flee, Longsworth threw him to the ground and he and the two juveniles kicked him, Shin said. When the man tried to flee a second time, Longsworth ripped off his backpack, Shin said.

The man ran home, called police and gave them a description of the trio. The police located the juveniles and, through them, Longsworth, who the man identified in a photo lineup, Shin said.

Police arrested Longsworth Thursday. Cook County Judge Jill Cerone Marisie ordered him held on $50,000 bail. She added another $20,000 for the violation of bail bond on the pending mob action charge, which Shin said is also gang-related.

Cerone Marisie also set a $20,000 bail for Longsworth for violating his probation, Shin said. He received probation and 60 days in jail in exchange for his guilty plea Aug. 31 to criminal damage to property, Shin said.

Longsworth next appears in court on Nov. 5.