Charges filed after beating of ‘The Walking Man’

A man thought to be homeless has been charged in connection with the Lower Wacker Drive beating of another homeless person known as “The Walking Man” Tuesday morning.

Perry McCarlton, 41, faces one misdemeanor count of reckless conduct causing bodily harm for the brutal beating of “The Walking Man,” according to Chicago Police.

His real name is Joseph Kromelis, and he is 69 years old, his sister-in-law, Linda Kromelis, told the Chicago Sun-Times.

Sometimes called “The Walking Dude,” he turned heads for years as he walked through the Loop. Known for his tall frame, striking facial features, suit jacket, long flowing hair and bushy mustache, he simply walked around downtown and intrigue followed.

He was brutally beaten by a man—identified as McCarlton—with fists and a baseball bat about 11 a.m. Tuesday in the 400 block of East Lower Wacker Drive. Police said “a short conversation” preceded the attack. The two were struggling over the bat when officers arrived.

Kromelis was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital for treatment of cuts and other injuries to his head and legs, police said.

McCarlton is due in court June 15, police said. Kromelis refused to pursue felony charges.

“I called the hospital and they said there was no Joseph Kromelis there. But they said it’s possible he used an alias. And that sounds like Joe,” Linda Kromelis told the Chicago Sun-Times.

“He’s always been very private and kept to himself,” she said.

Social media lit up with shock after the attack. People wanted to offer support but didn’t know how. A GoFundMe page—created by a woman who didn’t know his identity or how to get him the money—raised more than $2,100 in several hours Wednesday.

“The Walking Man is one of those fixtures in downtown life that makes our city special,” said Janice Riggs, the woman who created the account. “The idea that someone as harmless as he is could be attacked spoils a little bit of what I love about this city.”