Police: Elgin teen beat, robbed homeless man

A 19-year-old Elgin man has been charged with severely beating and robbing a homeless man he knew after the two got into an argument, authorities said.

Isaac C. Diaz, of the 300 block of Weston Avenue, faces felony charges of robbery/victim 60 or older, aggravated battery/great bodily harm to a victim 60 or older, and two counts of aggravated battery, according to prosecutors and Kane County court records.

Diaz, according to prosecutors, was smoking marijuana and drinking beer with the 60-year-old victim early Monday morning near East Chicago Street and South Grove Avenue in Elgin when they had a disagreement.

Prosecutors say Diaz pushed the man to the ground and punched him in the face several times. Some money fell out of the man's pocket, and Diaz grabbed it and left, prosecutors said.

The victim remains hospitalized with severe head and facial injuries, prosecutors said.

The Daily Herald submitted a Freedom of Information Act request with Elgin police on Monday for additional information. The city has five business days to respond.

Diaz is being held at the Kane County jail on $50,000 bail, meaning he must post $5,000 to be released while the case is pending. If he does post bond, he is to have no contact with the victim.

Diaz is next due in court July 29 and faces a sentence ranging from probation to up to seven years in prison if convicted of the most severe charge.

Authorities say the case is under investigation and anyone with information should call Elgin police at (847) 289-2600.