A mother from Elmhurst and her two children were charged in connection with the beating and robbery of a driver in the western suburbs on Tuesday.
According to the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office, Marie Velez, 40, reportedly stepped in front of a car heading eastbound on Grand Avenue near the I-290 flyover. The 63-year-old driver came to a halt, and Velez and her four children unlocked the car door and began beating him in the head.
Velez and the children, aged 12 to 15, then stole his wallet and fled the scene. They were apprehended a short time later at the Extended Stay America hotel, according to officials.
Velez was charged with robbery of a victim over the age of 60, aggravated violence in a public place, and a number of offenses, including contributing to a minor’s delinquency. Two other kids with her were charged with robbery, two charges of aggravated violence in a public place, and one misdemeanor offense of stealing.
“The allegations that a grown woman enlisted the help of two juveniles and together they robbed and beat an innocent man are outrageous,” said DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin. “The type of brazen, unprovoked attack alleged against these defendants will not be tolerated in DuPage County and will be met with the full force of the law.”
Velez’s pre-trial release was denied by a DuPage County judge who approved the state’s motion.
She is due to appear in court on February 5.