Woman Beaten During Strong-Arm Robbery on Vallette Saturday Night

A woman was beaten by a man attempting to steal her purse at 130 W. Vallette Saturday night.

The woman told police while she was walking eastbound on Vallette at around 10 p.m. Sept. 22, a man attempted to grab her purse, then punched her about 10 times in the face. She tried to fight him off by kicking and screaming. They both fell to the ground, and she screamed and kicked him. Another citizen witnessed the crime.

The man fled the area and was hiding in the 500 block of South Washington Street, but was later tracked by K-9 Diesel. Police identified the man as Lino Velazquez, 27, 4157 W. 24th St., Chicago.

Velazquez was taken to Elmhurst Memorial Hospital due to a medical issue and a high level of intoxication, police said. Charges are pending.

A mug shot is not yet available.

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