Two arrested after woman, 71, pushed down stairs
By CRYSTAL LINDELL - clindell@nwherald.com
McHENRY – Two men face battery charges after one of them allegedly assaulted an elderly woman and pushed her down a flight of 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, McHenry, early Sunday morning. They were looking for a 22-year-old male with whom Campo was involved in a feud, McHenry Deputy police Chief John Jones said.
The man’s grandmother, who is 71, answered the door, and Barba, of 1355 Abbott Drive, Elgin, allegedly started hitting her, striking her in the face several times, and eventually knocked her down a flight of stairs, Jones said.
The three men then fled the scene, and the grandmother, 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, of 1005 N. Green St., McHenry.
Within 15 minutes, police arrested Campo and Barba at Campo’s home, Jones said. The third man still had not been found Monday and police declined to release a description.
The woman was taken to Centegra Hospital – McHenry but since has 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. Barba’s bond was set at $60,000 and Campo’s was $20,000. Each had to post 10 percent to be released.
