Lake County Gazette

A 53-year-old resident of unincorporated Lake Villa was charged on May 1 following an attack on her 72-year-old neighbor.

According to a Lake County Sheriff's Office news release, deputies responded at 3:30 p.m. on May 1 to the 37700 block of North Delaby Road, Lake Villa, for a report of a battery in progress. As deputies responded, Lake County telecommunicators obtained crucial information about the call. They learned that the suspect had beaten her neighbor and was running on the roadway with an American flag. This information was relayed to deputies along with a clothing description of the suspect, who was found and taken into custody within the neighborhood.

The Sheriff's Office said that deputies found the victim seriously injured. The victim was taken to an area hospital for treatment for a serious knee injury and facial lacerations.

The preliminary investigation revealed that the victim was outside the front of her home when the suspect charged at her and attacked, punching her in the face, knocking her to the ground, and continuing to punch and kick her while she was down. The suspect then took the victim's American flag from her home and ran down the street with it.

The release identified the suspect as Kristi B. Tyler, 53, of the 37700 block of North Delaby Road. She was taken to the Lake County Jail after her arrest.

The Lake County State's Attorney's Office reviewed the incident and approved charges including aggravated battery to a victim over age 60, aggravated battery causing great bodily harm, and aggravated battery in a public place. The State's Attorney's Office planned to file a petition to detain Tyler in custody while awaiting trial. All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.