A 40-year-old Chicago man faces several felony charges, including attempted murder, for allegedly attacking a Forest Park man with a broken bottle and a sharp tool on the Blue Line platform at Austin Boulevard in Oak Park on May 6 at about 1 p.m.
Oak Park Commander of Investigations Joseph Moran said in a telephone interview that police arrested DeLane F. Hargrove, 40, of the 1200 Block of East 62nd St., Chicago.
In addition to attempted murder, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office charged Hargrove with aggravated battery, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and failure to register as a sexual predator.
The incident began when the victim, a Forest Park man headed inbound on the Blue Line near Oak Park, felt he was being watched by Hargrove.
The victim exited the train at the Austin stop, 720 S. Austin Blvd., and Hargrove followed. Hargrove approached the victim and asked for a cigarette.
Moran said that unprovoked, Hargrove broke a glass bottle he was carrying to use as a weapon and used a pointed tool to threaten the victim on the platform.
A scuffle ensued and Hargrove allegedly removed about $100 in cash from the victim’s pocket.
The victim suffered cuts to his hands and other non-life threatening injuries. He was treated for his injuries at West Suburban Medical Center.
The victim also lost a cell phone that was in his pocket, according to police, who believe Hargrove retrieved the phone from the ground before fleeing.
Hargrove allegedly then jumped onto the tracks, over a fence and crossed the Eisenhower Expressway on foot.
Police responded to the scene and arrested Hargrove in the 300 block of Harrison Street, Moran said. He was taken into custody without incident.
The investigation began as an attempted robbery but after state’s attorney officials reviewed the case, Hargrove was charged with the more serious attempted murder, armed robbery and aggravated battery charges.
It was later learned that Hargrove had failed to register as a sexual predator. According to the Illinois Sex Offender database, Hargrove was convicted of the predatory criminal sexual assault of a 10 year old when he was 19.
He was held overnight and given a $500,000 bond.
tim@oakpark.com
