Charges filed after 2 elderly men attacked within hours in Aurora

A man faces several felony charges after police say he attacked two elderly men in attempts to steal their snow removal equipment last week in west suburban Aurora.

Ronald Phipps, 21, was charged by the Kane County state’s attorney’s office with three counts of aggravated battery, according to the Aurora Police Department. Phipps, of the 500 block of Woodlawn Avenue in Aurora, was also charged by the DuPage County state’s attorney’s office with single counts of aggravated battery, robbery, fleeing and eluding police as well as not having a valid driver’s license.

Phipps walked up to a 66-year-old man about 8:15 a.m. March 3 in the 100 block of North Loucks Street and demanded the man’s shovel before punching him in the face and taking it, police said. Phipps then walked around a neighboring building.

The 66-year-old walked toward a nearby business to find help, but before he could get to the door, Phipps punched him in the face again, police said. The two men “got into a third tussle” before the older man was able to get inside and lock the door.

Phipps eventually drove away without the shovel and the older man declined medical treatment, police said.

An hour later, Phipps walked up to a 71-year-old man in the 1600 block of Trafalger Lane and demanded the older man’s snowblower that he was using, police said.

When the man refused, Phipps tried to punch him, but the man was able to move out of the way, police said. Phipps then hit the man in the chest, knocking him to the ground.

Phipps took the snowblower and began walking toward his vehicle while the older man — who also declined medical treatment — called police from inside his home, police said.

The snowblower was found in a driveway in the 2400 block of Ridge Road, police said.

Phipps was ordered held on $150,000 bail in DuPage County, police said. His next court dates in both counties are pending.