‘Transient’ arrested in Woodstock after attacking man over medication

A northwest suburban man whom police call a “transient” is behind bars after he attempted to strangle a man after accusing him of stealing his medication.

On Saturday, police went to a home in the 300 block of Washington Street, where the Woodstock “transient” had called in a theft complaint, a statement from Woodstock police said.

But when police arrived, they found that the 911 caller — 29-year-old Charles E. Akerberg — had showed up at the home, accused a 19-year-old man of stealing his medicine, and attacked him, police said.

The victim, who lived in the home, and another witness said Akerberg choked the man, “causing him to almost lose consciousness,” police said. The victim then drove himself to a hospital for treatment, and officers reported injuries to the neck area consistent with being choked.

Akerberg, who had no home address, was arrested and later charged charged with one count of aggravated battery. He is being held in the McHenry County Adult Correctional Facility on a $50,000 bond, with his next court hearing scheduled for Wednesday.