Men charged in McHenry attack of elderly woman

Joseph B. Barba (left), 25, and Charles A. Campo II, 24, face battery charges after Barba allegedly assaulted an elderly woman and pushed her down the stairs.

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McHENRY — Two men face battery charges after one of them allegedly assaulted an elderly woman and pushed her down the stairs.

Joseph B. Barba, 25; Charles A. Campo II, 24; and a third unidentified man allegedly went to a home on the 4000 block of Oak Avenue early Sunday morning looking for a 22-year-old male with whom Campo was involved in a feud, said McHenry Deputy Police Chief John Jones.

The man’s grandmother, 71, answered the door, and Barba, 1355 Abbott Drive, Elgin, allegedly started hitting her, striking her in the face several times and eventually knocking her down a flight of stairs, Jones said.

The three men then fled the scene and the victim, whose name was not released, called 911. When police arrived about 2:20 a.m., the grandson, whose name also was not released, identified Campo, 1005 N. Green St., McHenry.

Within 15 minutes, police arrested Campo and Barba at Campo’s home, Jones said.

The third man still has not been found, Jones added.

The victim was transported to Centegra Hospital - McHenry but has since been released, Jones said.

Barba was charged with aggravated battery of a senior citizen because the victim was older than 60, as well as mob action, while Campo was charged with mob action.

“When we have an elderly subject battered, we and the courts take that ... seriously,” Jones said. “You’re looking at pretty much a helpless victim here being beat up by men in their 20s.”

Both men were released on bail Monday and are scheduled to appear in court July 13. Police continue to search for the third suspect. Barba’s bond was set at $60,000 and Campo’s was $20,000. Each had to post 10 percent to be released.