Chicago Area Local News

CHICAGO (CBS) ― You never think it will happen to you; getting attacked in your own home. But it did happen to a 62-year-old Chicago man earlier this week and on Friday, he was still in the hospital recovering.

Police said they found the man in his apartment this week, bloody and gasping for air. CBS 2's Pamela Jones spent time with the victim Friday.

"I feel they were trying to kill me," Samuel Gardner said.

The bruises tell the story of how Gardner's attackers beat him.

"They hit me with a bat, and tried to tape my mouth up; so I couldn't breathe I assume. Then I just passed out," Gardner said. The attackers also took away his oxygen tank. "They took the oxygen off my face and I kind of passed out."

Gardner said they left him for dead.

"I've got ten stitches over my left eye," Gardner said. "My right arm is all beat up. They broke two ribs."

Police said it happened at Gardner's home in the 7500 block of South Morgan on Monday night. Gardner opened his door to a 15-year-old who'd done some cleaning for him in the past.

Officers later learned the teen girl periodically cleaned Gardner's home for extra money and on Monday about 10 p.m., the girl requested work but he informed her he didn't need her services, according to a police report.

The girl asked if she could use his washroom and he allowed her to. As he turned away to sit down, she allegedly allowed three men into the apartment who allegedly began beating him about the head and body with a baseball bat, according to police.

Gardner was then bound with duct date as the suspects allegedly removed a 42-inch television and a jar of coins, according to the report.

When officers arrested the teen girl the television was allegedly learning against dresser in a basement bedroom and she was placed into custody.

The girl, who is 15 and is not being identified because of her age, was charged as a juvenile with aggravated battery of a senior citizen and home invasion, according to police. On Friday, Juvenile Justice Judge Rodney Hughes Brooks ordered the teen held in custody and set her next court date for Dec. 17, according to Cook County State's Attorney's office spokesman Andy Conklin.

Daron Bush, 19, of 17613 Sycamore Lane in Country Club Hills and Bradley Brundidge, 21, of 7505 S. Carpenter St. were both charged with home invasion and armed robbery. Javon Lane, 17, of 7807 S. Ada St. was charged with only home invasion, according to police, who said all four were arrested Thursday.

Cook County Judge Laura Sullivan set bond for Bush at $325,000, Lane's at $300,000 and Brundidge's at $350,000, Conklin said. The three men will appear in court again on Nov. 30 for preliminary hearings.

Gardner's landlord called 911 after she heard someone fall in Gardner's apartment. A community activist awarded her with flowers on Friday.

"I gave her some roses because she saved Mr. Gardner's life and I feel she ought to be commended," Andrew Holmes said.

But he said Gardner isn't the only victim in his neighborhood and the approaching holiday season is prime time for criminals targeting older residents.

Peggy Holmes, with the Chicago Department of Senior Services said, "There's cases where somebody in the neighborhood will befriend somebody who they know is alone."

Gardner said he tries to spend his life giving to others; he never expected to get hurt in return.

"If I can help you, I help you," Gardner said. "You didn't have to do this to me to get anything."

Gardner needs a few more days of recovery at Advocate Christ Hospital and Medical Center in Oak Lawn. He said he's a Vietnam veteran and survival is in his blood.

The Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.

(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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