Crime & Safety

Report: Judge Charges Darien Man with Hate Crime in Monday Battery

The Daily Herald reports Ali Akel punched a black man at a Woodridge gas station.

A Darien man who allegedly attacked a black man in Woodridge Monday has been charged with a hate crime, according to a Daily Herald report.

Ali Akel, 32, was arrested at a Woodridge gas station Monday after allegedly using a racial slur against two black men, the report said. Akel then spat on one of the men, knocked him to the ground and started to punch him, the report said.

In addition to the hate crime charge, Akel was charged with aggravated battery and marijuana possession, the report said.

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Akel was released on bail Tuesday, the report said.

Akel told Judge Michael Wolfe in DuPage County Bond Court on Tuesday that he would “probably” plead guilty, the report said.

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