Man arrested at Old Orchard for allegedly attempting to rob woman, holding her head underwater

Skokie police arrested a man Tuesday morning after he reportedly attempted to rob a woman at Westfield Old Orchard Mall and held her head underwater in a pond. 

According to the Skokie Police Department, officers responded to the shopping center at 11:01 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 13, for a report of an attempted robbery, battery and possible firearm.

Individuals reportedly told police that a man was holding a woman’s head underwater in a pond at the north end of the mall after trying to take the woman’s purse. 

Bystanders reportedly intervened and separated the man from the woman before Skokie police arrived. Officers then detained the man once they arrived on scene, the news release says. 

The initial report of a handgun present was not substantiated, the release says. 

A preliminary investigation indicates that the two didn’t know each other, and the man struck the woman unprovoked with a saddle-type bag when they crossed paths in the outdoor mall near a pond, ultimately pushing her into the pond, according to the news release. 

The man then held the woman’s head underwater, police said. She reportedly was transported to an area hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

The investigation reportedly is ongoing and police ask those with information about the incident to contact the Skokie Police Department at 847-982-5900.

The 24-hour Skokie Crime Tip Hotline is 847/933-TIPS (8477). Text-A-Tip is available 24 hours a day by texting “Skokie” and your tip to 226787.

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