CHICAGO (STMW) – A man with a record of more than 100 arrests has been arrested once again, this time for allegedly battering two women in separate incidents on Saturday, including slapping a 20-year-old woman in the face in front of her wheelchair-bound mother as they left a department store in the Near West Side Wicker Park neighborhood.
John Poiner, 47, of the 600 block of West Deming Place, is charged with one count each of aggravated battery on the public way, attempted robbery, battery-making physical contact and simple assault, according to a police News Affairs release.
The first incident happened about 4:40 p.m. in the 1300 block of North Ashland Avenue on Saturday. The 20-year-old victim and her wheelchair-bound mother were approached by Poiner, who requested a cigarette and .50 cents after they left a department store, the release said.
When the woman refused, Poiner struck her in the face and fled the scene.
A short time later in the 1800 block of North Damen Avenue, at 5:10 p.m., Poiner approached a 40-year-old man and a 38-year-old woman while they were walking, the release said.
Poiner struck the woman in the back and caused her to fall to the ground. When the male victim confronted Poiner, he threatened to kill him.
Although Poiner escaped, the victims were able to flag down police and issued a description. Poiner was taken into custody on Saturday and later charged in both incidents, the release said. He was positively identified by all of the victims and charged.
Both female victims were treated and released from area hospitals for their injuries, the release said.
Poiner is scheduled to appear in bond court later Monday.
Read the original article from WBBM News Radio.