Woman hurt in broom attack near Oak Street Beach

Three people were hurt Wednesday when a homeless man with a broom attacked them on the Near North Side.

The first attack happened about 2 p.m. near Oak Street Beach in the 1000 block of North Lake Shore Drive, Chicago police said.

A 39-year-old man with push broom approached a woman sitting on a bench and asked for a cigarette, police said. When she refused, the man became combative and hit her below her arm with the broom.

The woman, who had bruising and swelling on the side of her body, declined medical treatment, police said.

The man then went south to the 400 block of North Michigan Avenue, where he punched a 55-year-old man in the head and face, police said. He also struck a 49-year-old woman in the head and shoulder.

Bystanders flagged down a police officer who arrested the man, police said.

The woman was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital with head trauma and shoulder pain, police said. Her condition had stabilized. The man declined medical treatment.

Charges were pending against the suspect, who a police source said was homeless.

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