Boy, 16, Found Crushed Between Concrete Slabs

Police say wall fell when three teens attempted to steal metal rods supporting structure

A 16-year-old boy died early Wednesday when he was crushed between two brick walls at a closed construction company in Alsip, south of Chicago.

The victim, identified as Dallas Harden of the 4300 block of West Park Lane in Alsip, was dead at the scene, according to police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

Authorities said Harden wasn't breathing when they found him pinned between two pre-formed brick construction walls at the Lombard Company, at 4243 W. 123rd St., at about 2:30 a.m.

He was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

Alsip police Lt. Jay Miller said the walls weigh about 34,000 pounds each.

Two 15-year-olds were with Harden when he died, and they were attempting to steal metal rods, police said.

But the steel rods were "instrumental" in keeping the construction walls in place, and when the 16-year-old removed one or more of them, the walls fell and he became pinned, police said.

The 15-year-olds were charged with criminal trespass to property and released to their parents, police said.

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