A woman has been sentenced to probation after officials said she seriously injured an elderly woman in an unprovoked attack and stole the victim’s American flag near Lake Villa.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office responded around 3:30 p.m. on May 1 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, 54, who lives on the street, had beaten her neighbor and was running on the roadway with an American flag, Covelli said.
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 and the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office filed a petition to detain her in custody while she awaited trial, which was granted by a judge.
She was charged with aggravated battery to a victim over the age of 60, aggravated battery causing great bodily harm and aggravated battery in a public place.
Court records show Tyler, who has been held in custody since her arrest, entered into a negotiated plea deal with the state’s attorney’s office in mid-November.
She pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated battery causing great bodily harm to a victim over 60, a Class 2 felony, in exchange for an agreed-upon sentence.
Tyler was sentenced to 36 months of probation, 180 days of jail, which was considered served, and ordered not to consume alcohol or drugs.
She was also ordered to have no contact with the victim, complete 100 hours of public service and obtain a mental health evaluation and follow treatment.