Hoffman Estates teen charged with attempted murder in stabbing

A Cook County judge set bail at $200,000 for a Hoffman Estates teen facing attempted murder and aggravated battery charges alleging he stabbed another 18-year-old in the stomach.

Junior Perez-Aguilar, 18, of the 500 block of Mesa Drive, could be sentenced to between six and 30 years if convicted of the most serious charge. He next appears in court on April 23.

Perez-Aguilar, the other man and that young man's girlfriend entered a Hoffman Estates gas station early Sunday to purchase beer or cigarettes, Assistant Cook County State's Attorney Nicole Murphy said in court Wednesday. After the cashier refused to sell him the items, Perez-Aguilar became angry and threatened the employee, Murphy said.

The other 18-year-old man attempted to calm Perez-Aguilar, who demanded he be taken to another store, Murphy said. An argument ensued and Perez-Aguilar took out a knife and stabbed the other man, she said, adding that man kicked Perez-Aguilar in the leg.

The girlfriend took the man to Amita St. Alexius Medical Center in Hoffman Estates.

Meanwhile, Perez-Aguilar called his uncle claiming he had been stabbed, Murphy said. The uncle took Perez-Aguilar to St. Alexius, where the victim's girlfriend alerted the staff of his presence. The hospital staff then called police, Murphy said. The victim underwent surgery and remains in the hospital, she said.