Second man charged in murder, robbery of elderly man

A second man has been charged with beating an 88-year-old man to death during a robbery about two weeks ago in the South Side Chatham neighborhood.

Clarence Sams, 24, is charged with first-degree murder and robbery, authorities said. Samuel Higgins, 29, was previously charged with murder and robbery in connection with the incident.

Higgins and Sams were looking for someone to rob when they spotted Arthur Hearn waiting for the bus to go to work at 4:55 a.m. on Sept. 25, authorities said.

Higgins acted as a lookout while Sams knocked Hearn to the ground and went through his pockets, authorities said.

Prosecutors said Higgins yelled at a passer-by, who tried to help Hearn. The passer-by flagged down a patrol car, and the suspects fled, authorities said.

Hearn, of the 8400 block of South Langley, died as a result of his head injuries, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

Sams, of the 9200 block of South Dobson, is scheduled to appear in bond court Wednesday.

Higgins, who has six previous felony convictions, including prostitution, is being held on a $1 million bond.