LOCAL NEWS | Special Needs Bagger Assaulted at West Suburban Jewel, Bond Set for Local Man

BOND SET FOR MAN ACCUSED OF PUNCHING SPECIAL NEEDS GROCERY BAGGER IN THE FACE

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Bartlett Police Chief Patrick Ullrich announced today that bond has been set for a Bartlett man accused of punching a Jewel grocery store employee in the face. Bruce Mirabella, 50 of Bartlett, appeared in Bond Court this afternoon where Judge James Konetski set bond at $50,000 with 10% to apply. Mirabella has been charged with one count of Aggravated Battery, Class 3 Felony.

On June 22, 2019, officers with the Bartlett Police Department responded to the Jewel grocery store located on Sterns Road in response to an alleged battery of a store employee. It is alleged that at approximately 9:45 p.m., Mirabella went to the store to purchase alcohol. It is alleged that while in the checkout line, Mirabella punched the victim, who has special needs and was working as a bagger, in the face. It is alleged that after punching the victim, Mirabella kicked the victim in his left back area and then fled the store. An investigation conducted by the Bartlett Police Department led to Mirabella who was taken into custody a short time later from his home.

“The charges against Mr. Mirabella are outrageous,” Berlin said. “Violently attacking an innocent man, particularly a special needs individual, while he is working will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. I would like to thank the Bartlett Police Department for their outstanding work in quickly identifying and apprehending Mr. Mirabella as a suspect in this case. I would also like to thank Assistant State’s Attorney Nick Noble for his efforts on this case.”

"I would like to commend the efforts of our officers which led to the identification and apprehension of the alleged offender in such a timely manner,” Ullrich said. "I would also like to thank the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office for their collaboration on this case."

Mirabella’s next court appearance is scheduled for August 19, 2019, for arraignment in front of Judge Brian Telander.

Members of the public are reminded that this complaint contains only charges and is not proof of the defendant’s guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

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