CHICAGO, IL – Chicago police are currently investigating a violent attack and robbery that occurred in a Northwest Side neighborhood. The victim, a woman, was walking on Linder Avenue near West Montrose Avenue around 11 a.m. on Monday morning when a dark-colored sedan pulled up in front of her. Two men got out of the vehicle and proceeded to shove her to the ground, seemingly armed with a baseball bat.
According to Christian Zajac, a witness who was working on construction at a nearby house, the woman was holding onto her bag while the men were hitting her with the bat. She eventually let go out of fear, unsure if the men were also in possession of a gun. Zajac and his co-workers heard the victim’s screams and promptly called 911.
The victim, who spoke Polish, was evidently in need of an interpreter for communicating with the police. She had sustained cuts on her ear and appeared to be limping after the attack. The assailants took her purse, wallet, and cards before fleeing the scene.
The incident was captured by cameras installed just two months prior by Mercedes Cordreanu from Elite Physique Fitness Studio. Cordreanu expressed the importance of being more mindful when out in the neighborhood, and took it upon herself to notify all her clients following the attack.
The details of the incident remain under investigation by the Chicago police, with no further information available at this time. This incident prompts a renewed conversation around safety and vigilance, especially for those walking alone in the city.