Teens Charged in South Shore Muggings

Two teens and a 12-year-old were charged in the beatings and robberies of two men

Two teens and a 12-year-old boy were charged Thursday in the South Shore beatings and robberies of two men.

Both victims, 63 and 45 years old, were beaten and robbed in separate incidents Tuesday evening by five teens, police said.

"I was surprised to be jumped like that," Sidney Tyson, 63, recalled Wednesday. "This is my neighborhood. This is somewhere that I feel safe."

Responding South Chicago officers located three teens that matched the description of the wanted offenders, police said. Tyson and the other victim positively identified them.

Kenon Jackson, 19, of the 7600 block of South Coles was charged with robbery, aggravated robbery and aggravated battery of a victim 60 years and older.

A 16-year-old male was charged with robbery, and a 12-year-old boy was charged with robbery of a victim 60 years and older.

Tyson said he was waiting for a bus at East 75th Street and South Shore Drive at about 8:20 Tuesday when five or six young men attacked him from behind as he started to make a call on his phone.

He fended them off with a cane he's used since having a series of strokes, but the robbers still made off with the phone and bus pass. Tyson said his cries for help went unanswered.

Still Tyson said he refuses to live in fear.

"The simple fact that these were young black men, wandering the street with nothing better to do than jump on a senior citizen and beat him down, it's sad," said Tyson.

Jackson is scheduled to appear in bond court later Thursday, police said. The two juveniles will appear in court on a future date.

Contact Us