DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Elmhurst Chief of Police Michael McLean have announced that Judge Joshua Dieden granted the state’s motion to deny pre-trial release for an Elmhurst woman charged with beating and robbing a motorist after stepping in front of his car, causing him to stop.
Marie Velez, 40, appeared at First Appearance Court and is charged with one count of robbery—victim over 60 years old (Class 1 felony), one count of aggravated battery in a public place (Class 3 felony) and multiple misdemeanor offenses including theft and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
Two juveniles allegedly involved, ages 12 and 15, have also been charged and detained until at least their next court appearance. The juveniles are each charged with one count of robbery (Class 1 felony), two counts of aggravated battery in a public place (Class 3 felony) and one count of misdemeanor theft.
On Tuesday, Jan. 9 approximately 10:39 p.m., Elmhurst police officers were dispatched to the Extended Stay America hotel for a report of a robbery. Upon their arrival, officers found the victim, a 63-year-old man, seated in his vehicle bleeding from his head with swelling on his face.
Following an investigation into the matter, it is alleged that the victim was traveling eastbound on Grand Avenue near the I-290 overpass when he observed a group of four individuals, later identified as Velez and the juveniles, standing nearby and on Grand Avenue. It is alleged that Velez stepped into traffic, causing the victim to stop his vehicle in the eastbound lane of Grand Avenue. It is further alleged that after the victim stopped his vehicle, the defendants opened the driver’s side door and began punching the victim in his head and face.
It is alleged that after the beating, the defendants stole the victim’s wallet and fled the scene. Through their investigation, authorities identified Velez and the juveniles as suspects in the case. All three defendants were taken into custody a short time later from the Extended Stay America hotel.
Berlin, McLean weigh in
“The allegations that a grown woman enlisted the help of two juveniles and together they robbed and beat an innocent man are outrageous,” Berlin said. “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.
“I thank the Elmhurst Police Department for not only their work in identifying and apprehending the defendants in this case, but also for their ongoing efforts in keeping our neighborhoods safe.”
“It is extremely troubling that an adult responsible for supervising the minors in her care, instead, allegedly participated with them in a violent robbery upon an innocent motorist who stopped for them in the middle of the night,” McLean said. “I thank our officers and detectives for their coordinated response to the scene and thorough investigation, leading to the swift apprehension of the defendants staying at the hotel nearby.”
Velez’s next court appearance is scheduled Feb. 5 for arraignment in front of Judge Mia McPherson. The next court date for the juveniles was to have taken place on Tuesday.
