Two Men Accused of Brutal Attacks in Villa Park Last Weekend

Bond was set today, Wednesday, May 16, for two men who allegedly beat and robbed two men on two separate occasions in Villa Park last weekend.

Jeremy Rush, 20, of Addison, and Nicholas Sanchez, 18, of Burr Ridge, each are being held on $350,000 bail for their alleged roles in the attacks.

The Daily Herald is reporting that the men are members of the Latin Kings street gang.

Police say that at about 12:15 a.m. Sunday, May 13, Rush and Sanchez were driving near Ardmore and Division when they approached the first victim, who was walking home after work. The men allegedly exited their vehicle and attacked the man, hitting him repeatedly in the head with a baseball bat. Before fleeing the scene, Rush and Sanchez allegedly went through the victim’s pockets looking for money but found none.

According to police reports, several hours later, between 3:30 and 4 a.m., Rush and Sanchez approached another man walking in Villa Park on Cornell Avenue near the train station, a few blocks north of St. Charles Road, and attacked him, as well. After beating the second victim, the two suspects allegedly went through that man’s pockets and stole $140. Shortly after the second attack, Rush and Sanchez were apprehended by Villa Park police.

The Daily Herald is reporting the first victim was hospitalized with a fractured skull and bleeding on the brain, and the second victim was treated for multiple bruises, abrasions and a possible broken nose.
           
“Unprovoked, random violence such as is alleged against these two men will not be tolerated and will be met with the full force of the law,” DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a prepared statement.

Rush and Sanchez each face two counts of aggravated battery, a Class 3 Felony; one count of armed robbery, a Class X Felony; and one count of attempted armed robbery, a Class 1 Felony.

Their next court appearance is scheduled for June 4 in front of Judge Robert Kleeman.

This information was provided to Elmhurst Patch by the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office. Persons charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. If you or a family member are charged with a crime or cited for a violation and the charge or citation is subsequently adjudicated, we encourage you to contact karenc@patch.com and we will do follow-up reporting on the case.