The Village of Oak Park | 123 Madison St.  Oak Park, IL 60302 | village@oak-park.us

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Teen arrested after using tree branch to take cell phone from another teen

Feb. 1, 2018 – An Oak Park teenager was arrested after being accused of striking another teen with a tree branch and taking his cell phone at about 3:30 p.m., yesterday in Austin Gardens on Forest Avenue just north of Lake Street.

The 17-year-old victim, also an Oak Park resident, told Police he was sitting on a bench in the park when he saw an individual carrying a tree branch walking toward him.

Becoming wary of the situation, the victim said he began to walk away from the area, then started running as the offender pursued, caught up and struck him multiple times across the back with the tree branch.

The victim was wearing a backpack and not injured, but dropped his cell phone, which was picked by the offender, who then fled.

A passerby called 911 and the 15-year-old offender was located a short distance away and identified by the victim, whose cell phone was found nearby.

Both teens are students at Oak Park and River Forest High School.

The investigation is continuing. Anyone with information is asked to call the Oak Park Police Department at 708.386.3800. Information may be provided anonymously by calling 708.434.1636 or online at www.oak-park.us/crimetip.