Consumers Liquor Customer Badly Beaten, Hospitalized By Men Who Followed Him Into Store: Police

JOLIET, IL — For one of the first times in ages, Joliet police officers responded to a liquor store in regard to an extremely violent and bloody attack, an incident that wound up sending the victim to St. Joe's hospital by way of a Joliet Fire Department ambulance. So far, one arrest has been made: 30-year-old Ricardo Pena Pena, who comes from the 0 to 50 block of Joliet's Emory Street.

According to police spokesman Dwayne English, back on July 19, at 6:35 p.m., the officers responded to the Consumers Liquors at 1134 Plainfield Road for a report of a battery.

English revealed that a man entered the business when he was confronted by a group of men. English noted that after an apparent accidental shoulder bump in a narrow aisle, one of the men allegedly became aggressive and followed the victim to the front of the store.

"Surveillance video showed the suspect confronting the victim before striking him multiple times in the face without provocation," English announced. "As the altercation continued, a second suspect allegedly joined the attack by repeatedly striking the victim in the head and neck before kicking him in the face. It is also believed that the first
suspect placed the victim in a chokehold, restricting his ability to breathe."

As for the victim, he sustained facial injuries and was transported by the Joliet Fire Department to St Joseph Medical Center for treatment. The suspects fled the scene in a vehicle before officers arrived.

During the investigation, detectives identified Ricardo Pena Pena as one of the suspects. Finally, this week, on Monday, at approximately 1:11 a.m., Pena Pena was taken into custody
following a traffic stop near McDonough Street and Des Plaines Street. He was charged with two counts of aggravated battery and battery.

Pena Pena was processed at the Joliet Police Department and transported to the Will County Adult Detention
Facility.

"This case remains under active investigation," English emphasized.