11 Cook County Juveniles Charged After Adult Victims Attracted, Assaulted: Police

MOUNT PROSPECT, Ill. – Nearly a dozen juveniles have been charged in connection with two separate incidents of aggravated battery and mob action that occurred earlier this year.

The charges stem from attacks on two adult men who were lured to locations in Mount Prospect through an online dating app.

The incidents occurred July 8 in the 900 block of West Lincoln Street and 606 West Northwest Highway. The victims, a 41-year-old man and a 23-year-old man, were confronted and beaten by groups of teenagers. One of the victims was hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries.

In both cases, the victims’ vehicles were also damaged – which included slashing one of the victim’s tires.

Of the eleven juveniles charged, ten are from Mount Prospect and one is from Arlington Heights. Their ages range from 16 to 17 years old. Charges include multiple counts of aggravated battery, criminal damage to property and mob action.

A juvenile faces additional hate crime charges for allegedly using racial and derogatory terms during one of the incidents.

Mount Prospect Police Chief Michael Eterno said the teenagers were inspired by a viral trend on social media.

“We ask parents to take these incidents as an opportunity to talk to their teenage children about the seriousness of actively participating in these types of trends they see on social media,” Eterno said.

The minors were identified in part thanks to surveillance footage.

In November, all eleven juveniles surrendered and were then transported to the Cook County Juvenile Detention Center in Chicago.

Statement from High School District 214

“District 214 was made aware of an off-campus incident that occurred over the summer and led to community charges that were recently announced. Due to privacy laws and the permanent nature of this situation, the information we can share is limited. We will not release additional information at this time and will refer you to the Mount Prospect Police Department.”

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