Crime & Safety
Second Bust Made in Beating, Robbery of Casino Winner: Police
Becca Prater, 17, is one of several people who allegedly beat a Chicago man with a baseball bat and took his $950 casino winnings, according to Will County reports.
A second arrest has been made in the baseball bat attack of a Chicago man who won big at Harrah's Joliet Casino only to have his windfall taken from him, according to Will County Sheriff's Office reports.
Becca L. Prater, 17, of 133 Hobbs, Joliet, was arrested by Joliet police Saturday on a county-issued warrant charging her with robbery, aggravated battery, aggravated assault and battery. She's being held in the Will County jail in lieu of $500,000 bond.
Police say Prater was one of a group who allegedly clubbed and kicked a man Aug. 13 at a home on Schorie Avenue in unincorporated Joliet Township.
The 32-year-old victim told police he was befriended by a man at the 151 N. Joliet St. casino shortly after he won $950. He was persuaded by the man to have a drink at a Collins Street bar and then to join him at the Schorie Avenue house so they could continue to drink, reports said.
When they arrived, the victim's new "friend" disappeared and the group of people at the house attacked him with a bat, kicked him in the head and body, took his money and sent him to the basement, reports said. The man left the house at about 6 a.m. and flagged down people outside to help him.
Deputies arrested Mark A. Cortez, 38, of 1108 Bartel Road, Joliet, at the house and he admitted his role in the attack during an interview, reports said. At the time of his arrest, an office spokeswoman said more arrests were possible.
Police say Prater was one of a group who allegedly clubbed and kicked a man Aug. 13 at a home on Schorie Avenue in unincorporated Joliet Township.
The 32-year-old victim told police he was befriended by a man at the 151 N. Joliet St. casino shortly after he won $950. He was persuaded by the man to have a drink at a Collins Street bar and then to join him at the Schorie Avenue house so they could continue to drink, reports said.
When they arrived, the victim's new "friend" disappeared and the group of people at the house attacked him with a bat, kicked him in the head and body, took his money and sent him to the basement, reports said. The man left the house at about 6 a.m. and flagged down people outside to help him.
Deputies arrested Mark A. Cortez, 38, of 1108 Bartel Road, Joliet, at the house and he admitted his role in the attack during an interview, reports said. At the time of his arrest, an office spokeswoman said more arrests were possible.
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