Crime & Safety

Chicago Heights Man Charged With Shooting Ice Cream Seller

A Chicago man was shot while pushing his ice cream cart on 12th Street in May. A Heights man was arrested Sunday in connection with the shooting.

Chicago Heights Police have charged a man with last month's shooting of 39-year-old ice cream vendor Antonio Gomez near the intersection of 12th and Halsted streets. 

Luis A. Serrano, 30, of the first block of East 12th Street was arrested and charged with attempted armed robbery and aggravated battery with a firearm on Sunday, June 10, according to police. 

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On May 14,  found Gomez lying on the ground, with a gunshot wound to his abdomen, in the first block of East 12th Street.

The vendor told police he was signaled by three men, who he thought wanted to buy ice cream. One of the men asked for ice cream. When Gomez opened the lid of his cart, one of the men, identified as Serrano, pulled out a handgun and demand Gomez hand over his money, according to the press release.

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Gomez reportedly told Serrano he had no money and was shot at least twice in his abdominal area, according to police. Gomez was taken to two hospitals, and Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn, before being pronounced "stable."

On Monday, June 11, Serrano appeared in front of a bond hearing judge at the Markham Courthouse, police said.    

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