Deputies arrested a 53-year-old man after he allegedly used a baseball bat to attack one of his longtime friends, who suffered major injuries, at a business near Lake Villa.
Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli said Robert Wargin, 53, of Lake Villa, went to the victim’s workplace in the 39300 block of North Route 59 in unincorporated Lake Villa around 8:30 p.m. on August 31.
Wargin parked behind the building where nobody would see his vehicle and walked inside to confront the victim, Covelli said.
Wargin struck the victim in the face with a baseball bat, causing major injuries, Covelli said. Wargin then allegedly fled from the scene.
The victim got a ride to a nearby outpatient medical center and was later transferred to Vista Medical Center East in Waukegan for treatment of his injuries.
Covelli said the victim did not report the incident to law enforcement at the time.
The victim was at his workplace the next day around 8:40 p.m. when he and another person heard someone trying to force entry to the business.
They called 911 and the victim saw Wargin’s vehicle, leading him to believe Wargin was again trying to get into the business.
Wargin then demanded the victim and witness to open the door but they refused, Covelli said.
Wargin fled just prior to the arrival of sheriff’s deputies. Deputies saw the man fleeing from the scene and conducted a traffic stop.
Wargin was detained and sheriff’s deputies obtained further information from the victim and the witness.
Deputies learned of the August 31 incident and arrested Wargin on charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.
The victim told deputies the initial attack and the second incident were both unprovoked, Covelli said.
Wargin was ordered held in the Lake County Jail on a $150,000 bond.