A suspect is in custody after officials say an elderly woman was left seriously injured in an unprovoked attack where the victim had her American flag stolen near Lake Villa Thursday afternoon.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office responded around 3:30 p.m. Thursday to the 37700 block of North Delaby Road in unincorporated Lake Villa for a report of a battery in progress.
Lake County 911 telecommunicators were continuing to obtain crucial information about the call as deputies responded, Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli said.
They learned that the offender, Kristi B. Tyler, 53, who lives on the block, had beaten her neighbor and was running on the roadway with an American flag.
Sheriff’s dispatchers relayed the information and Tyler’s clothing description to responding deputies, who located her and quickly took her into custody in the neighborhood.
Deputies located the 72-year-old female victim, who was seriously injured.
Covelli said the victim was transported to an area hospital for treatment for a serious knee injury and facial lacerations.
A preliminary investigation showed the victim was outside the front of her home.
Tyler charged at the victim and attacked her “for no apparent reason,” Covelli said.
Covelli said Tyler punched the victim’s face, knocked her to the ground and continued punching and kicking her while she was on the ground.
Tyler then stole the victim’s American flag that was affixed to the victim’s home and ran down the street with it, Covelli said.
Tyler was transported to the Lake County Jail after being arrested.
The incident was reviewed with the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office, which approved charges of aggravated battery to a victim over the age of 60, aggravated battery causing great bodily harm and aggravated battery in a public place.
The state’s attorney’s office intends to file a petition to detain Tyler in custody while awaiting trial.
Tyler is scheduled to appear in First Appearance Court on Friday morning.