Press Release
Wednesday, March 4, 2020
Bartlett Man Found Guilty of Aggravated Battery to Special Needs Grocery Bagger
DuPage County
State’s Attorney Robert Berlin announced today that a Bartlett man has been
found guilty of Aggravated Battery to a Jewel grocery store employee. The guilty
verdict against Bruce Mirabella, 51 (d.o.b. 9/6/1968), of 201 Patricia Lane, was
handed down by Judge Brian Telander this afternoon immediately following a four-hour-long
bench trial. Aggravated Battery is a Class 3 Felony. On July 23, Mirabella appeared
in Bond Court where bond was set bond at $50,000 with 10% to apply. He posted
the necessary 10%, or $5,000, and was released the same day.
On July 22, 2019, officers with the Bartlett Police Department responded to the
Jewel grocery store located on Sterns Road in response to a battery of a store
employee. Through their investigation, officers learned that at approximately
9:45 p.m., Mirabella went to the store to purchase alcohol. While in the
checkout line, Mirabella punched the victim, a bagger who has special needs, in
the face and then kicked him in his left back area before fleeing the store. Bartlett
Police Department took Mirabella into custody a short time later from his home.
“For
reasons still unclear, Mr. Mirabella violently attacked an innocent man at
work,” Berlin said. “Mr. Mirabella’s appalling behavior is magnified when
considering the fact that the victim in this case is a special needs individual
who, while working as a bagger at Jewel, posed no threat to the defendant. I would
like to thank Judge Telander for ensuring a fair trial for both sides. I would
like to thank the Bartlett Police Department for quickly identifying and
apprehending Mr. Mirabella following the attack. I would also like to thank
Assistant State’s Attorneys Bethany Jackson and Nick Catizone for their efforts
in holding Mr. Mirabella responsible for his actions.”
Mirabella’s
next court appearance is scheduled for April 6, 2020 for sentencing. Following
the verdict, Judge Telander revoked Mirabella’s bond and he was taken into
custody.
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