West Chicago Man Charged With Hate Crimes

Two men attacked while buying gas

WHEATON - DuPage County State’s Attorney Joseph E. Birkett announced today that criminal charges have been filed against Robert Hindle, 44 (d.o.b. 8/14/1963) of 210 ½ Geneva, West Chicago, for allegedly attacking two men at a gas station last week.

On Thursday, July 19, at approximately 6:45 a.m. the two men, both of Hispanic descent, were putting gas in their landscaping equipment at a gas station located on North Avenue and County Farm Road.  It is alleged that Hindle approached the men, got out of his vehicle and began yelling racial slurs at them.  It is further alleged that Hindle entered the gas station and several minutes later came back out only to continue his verbal attack on the men.  It is also alleged that Hindle then physically attacked the men causing one man to be hospitalized. 

Hindle has been charged with two counts of Aggravated Battery, a Class 3 Felony, which carries a sentence of between two to five years in the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) and two counts of Hate Crime, a Class 4 Felony which carries a sentence of between one to three years in the IDOC.

“The charges Mr. Hindle faces are very serious,” remarked Birkett.  “My office has absolutely zero tolerance for hate crimes.  To harass or assault someone, simply because they are different from you, cannot and will not go unpunished.”

Hindle remains in custody on a $50,000 with 10% to apply.  His next court appearance is scheduled for August 20 at 9 a.m. in front of Judge Robert Anderson.

Members of the public are reminded that these complaints contain only charges and are not proof of the defendant’s guilt.  A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

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