Umbrella Attacker/Purse Snatcher in Custody

By Joanna Miller in News on Oct 18, 2006 7:41PM

As we trudged through the rain yesterday, Chicagoist thought about how our big umbrella might come in handy if we were ever attacked, and we proceeded to make a mental list of all the ways to hurt someone with an umbrella. Unfortunately, someone else was thinking the same thing earlier this week and used the idea for evil (assault) instead of good (self-defense).

Brian J. Johnson, 39, was charged with severely beating a 76-year-old man with an umbrella on Monday at Filene’s Basement on State. Police said Johnson demanded money from the man, who refused, at which point Johnson hit him over the head with an umbrella. He continued to beat the man with the umbrella and his fists.

Johnson got away after the attack, but police caught up with him later in the day when he snatched someone’s purse. He has been charged with attempted armed robbery, aggravated battery to a senior citizen and robbery.

The victim was reported to be in stable condition at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, recovering from lacerations to the face and other blunt force injuries.

Umbrella in a Bin via Peter