Death Of Auto Shop Owner: Man Arrested, Charged With Battery

NEW LENOX, IL —A Park Forest man has been charged with aggravated battery in connection with the death of Wayne Deutsch in New Lenox Township. Devon Ward, 27, has been charged with aggravated battery after a June 12 incident at Shades of Darkness Window Tinting, 13957 W. Illinois Highway.

Deutsch, who was beaten during the incident, later died at Palos Community Hospital from his injuries, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office. The medical examiner has ruled the death a homicide. The Will County Sheriff's Office said it has not received any official report from the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office pertaining to the manner and cause of Deutsch's death.

But the sheriff's office said it is confident that charges will be upgraded in the future in regard to this investigation.

Police say the beating happened around 5:30 p.m. June 12, and deputies spoke to Deutsch, who owned the window tinting business.

According to the sheriff's office, Deutsch said a man, now identified as Ward, had beaten him with a long, metal cylindrical object. Deutsch said he had previously done work on Ward's car, and Ward came to the store asking for a refund on a window tint. Deutsch and Ward "had words," and Ward left the store, the sheriff's office said.

Ward returned to the store moments later and started a "physical confrontation" with Deutsch, striking him several times in the ribs with the metal object, according to police. Deutsch fell to the floor, and Deutsch told police Ward then took $800 in cash from his person. Ward then fled in a dark-colored Chrysler 300 with tinted windows, according to police.

Police said Deutsch refused medical treatment at the scene, and was only able to provide detectives with limited information on Ward's identity. Deutsch was able to provide footage from a video he shot on his phone shwoing Ward approaching him before the aggravated battery happened.

Police learned on June 14 that Deutsch had been hospitalized and had several broken ribs. According to the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office, Deutsch died June 17 at Palos Community Hospital after suffering multiple rib fractures and an accumulation of blood in the left portion of his lung and chest.

According to the sheriff's office, Deutsch’s lungs contained approximately two liters of fluid at the time of his autopsy. The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office has told the sheriff's office that the death of Wayne Deutsch is preliminary classified as a homicide, pending completion of all reports.

A warrant was issued against Ward on June 30, and Ward's attorney contacted members of the sheriff's office, and Ward turned himself in Thursday, the sheriff's office said. Ward is currently in custody at Will County Adult Detention Facility and bond has been set at $500,000.

Ward will appear in court on July 6.