Cook County man arrested within hour of Chicago attack, police say

By Nic Flosi
Published  January 16, 2026 10:41am CST
FOX 32 Chicago
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The Brief

    • Police say a suburban man was arrested less than an hour after a robbery and assault in downtown Chicago.
    • The incident happened early Thursday and the victim was a 44-year-old man.
    • Cornelius Bates is charged with two felony counts.

CHICAGO - A Calumet City man was arrested early Thursday after allegedly robbing and assaulting another man in downtown Chicago.

What we know:

Police said 42-year-old Cornelius Bates was taken into custody at around 5:57 a.m. in the 0-100 block of East Lake Street.

Cornelius Bates | CPD

Less than an hour earlier, Bates allegedly robbed and battered a 44-year-old man in the 300 block of North Lower Michigan Avenue.

What's next:

Bates is charged with aggravated battery in a public place and robbery, both felonies.

He is due in court for a detention hearing on Friday.

The Source: The information in this story came from the Chicago Police Department.

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