Charges Upgraded To Murder For Bike Thief Who Fatally Beat Victim
CHICAGO (CBS) – Authorities have slapped murder charges against an 18-year-old Ford Heights man who allegedly beat a bicyclist who later died of his injuries, the Cook County Sheriff's Office announced Monday.
Ronald Wade had been charged with aggravated battery causing great bodily harm following the July 11 incident in Ford Heights. The charges have been upgraded to one count of first-degree felony-murder, one count of first-degree murder and one count of robbery.
Police say Wade attacked 48-year-old Fred Barnes during a fight over Barnes' bike near the 1400 block of East 13th Place in Ford Heights. Barnes died at Stroger Hospital over the weekend as a result of his injuries.
Cook County Sheriff's Police detectives arrested Wade on July 12, and he admitted attacking the victim, the department said in a news release.
