Man Charged With Murder, Stealing $10

John Costulas died eight days after Evanston attack

A south suburban man has been charged in connection with the death of a man who died eight days after being attacked on his way to work.

Brandon Lee Allen Hinton, of the 17800 block of Stonebridge Drive, in Hazel Crest, was charged with one count of first-degree murder and one count of aggravated robbery.

Hinton attacked 61-year-old John Costulas as he walked to work in Evanston earlier this month, then took $10 from the victim’s pants pocket as he lay bleeding and unconscious in the street, police said.

Costulas died Saturday at Saint Francis Hospital in Evanston, eight days after the attack.

Hinton's arrest came as a result of an anonymous tip, police said. Surveillance images of pair of men taken from the Chicago Transit Authority's Howard Red Line station were released over the weekend. One of the men is believed to be Hinton.

Prosecutors said Hinton, who has a drug conviction from September 2003, according to court records, admitted to hitting Costulas and taking his money.

A second person of interest did not develop as a suspect "at this time," police said.

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