Eleven Illinois teenagers face felony charges for allegedly luring two men using dating apps and attacking them in separate incidents, which police believe could be inspired by a viral social media trend.
The attacks unfolded on the evening of July 8 within minutes of each other in Mount Prospect, Illinois, NBC News reported.
In the first incident, a 41-year-old man was lured to a parking lot under the pretense of meeting someone from a dating app. There, he was beaten and his vehicle damaged by a group of teens.
Shortly after, a 23-year-old man suffered a similar fate just a mile away, with his car tires slashed.
Both victims managed to escape but required assistance, with one seeking help from a nearby residence.
Following an extensive investigation aided by surveillance footage, Mount Prospect detectives identified 11 juveniles, aged 16 and 17, as participants in one or both incidents.
The teens now face charges ranging from aggravated battery to criminal damage to property and mob action.
One teen also received hate crime charges for allegedly using racial and derogatory slurs during the attacks.
All suspects have turned themselves in and are being held at the Cook County Juvenile Detention Center.
© 2024 Latin Times. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
