Man Has Heart Attack After Elmhurst Church Incident: Cops

ELMHURST, IL – A Melrose Park man threatened to fight parishioners earlier this month at an Elmhurst church, authorities said.

One of the victims later told an officer he suffered a heart attack after the incident, police said.

Steven Caruso, 67, was arrested on charges of felony theft from a place of worship and disorderly conduct.

Patch reported on Caruso's arrest last week. On Tuesday, it received the full police report through a public records request.

Shortly before 6 a.m. Feb. 7, Caruso was told by a parishioner that restrooms in Visitation Catholic Church, 799 S. York St., were not for the public, police said.

"F--- you," Caruso was quoted as saying. "The priest told me I can come here anytime I want."

He then threatened, "You want to start a fight right now," raising both his arms, according to the report.

"If you call anyone, I'll find you and come back and show you what it's all about," Caruso said, according to the report.

When a woman came to see what was happening, she told Caruso that she would call the police, prompting him to say, "I'm mad now. I'm going to get you," the report said. He then left in a van.

Video showed Caruso earlier had appeared to take money from a donation box, the report said.

Caruso was described as homeless, frequently using the church's restroom. But he was found after the incident at his apartment in Melrose Park, police said.

In an interview at his apartment, he admitted to threatening to fight parishioners, police said. But he said he put $20 into the box and did not steal anything.

In a later interview at the police station, he said he donated two $20 bills, then removed one. Then he admitted he was lying and stole $20, police said.

Later in the day, an officer updated a victim on the case. The victim, who is in his 70s, said when he left the church, he told his wife that he wasn't feeling well. He went to a medical facility, where he was told he suffered a heart attack, police said.

Caruso was taken to the DuPage County Jail. Once there, he fell, so paramedics took him to Elmhurst Hospital, police said.

Caruso returned to the police station a few hours later. When he went to the bathroom, Caruso appeared to fall "in a somewhat controlled manner" near the entrance, police said.

An officer told Caruso to stay on the ground and that he would call paramedics. Caruso then returned to his feet.

After several more minutes in the restroom, Caruso again partially collapsed, but an officer caught him, police said. Caruso was again taken to the hospital.

Three days later, Caruso called the officer to apologize for his behavior, including the theft of the church's money, police said.