AUBURN GRESHAM — New Ald. David Moore (17th) said he had to stop himself from fighting back after two alleged prostitutes attacked him early Sunday morning.
Moore told DNAinfo Chicago on Monday that he felt "shock, then anger that I couldn't fight back given my position. Growing up in Robert Taylor and Englewood, it took a lot for me to constrain myself, but never again, that I promise."
The alleged prostitute, a 22-year-old from Chicago Lawn, was charged with aggravated battery to a government employee, aggravated battery in a public place and unlawful vehicular invasion following the early morning attack.
During a bond hearing Monday, prosecutors said Moore had left the scene of a large party near 73rd and May streets about 3 a.m. Sunday after neighbors called him to complain about it.
“I waved the police down and told them they have to start arresting some people to end this thing before someone gets killed,” Moore told DNAinfo on Monday.
After he left, according to the alderman and prosecutors, Moore spotted two people who appeared to be prostitutes in the 7500 block of South Peoria Street.
Moore had recently gotten several "citizen complaints about transgender prostitution" in the area, Assistant State's Attorney Erin Antonietti said in court Monday.
Moore pulled up to the pair, rolled down his window and asked them to leave, Antonietti said.
“I really didn’t want to deal with a whole lot of mess, so I just showed them my badge, told them I was the alderman and asked them to move on," Moore said in an interview. "Both of them began to get irate."
According to prosecutors, one of the alleged sex workers punched Moore's car as the other person, 22-year-old Cordale Profit, walked around to the driver's side door. A third person approached the car and yelled at Moore, prosecutors said, and someone threatened to attack him with mace.
Moore said he called 911 as one of the attackers "beat on the quarter panel of my car. … The other one [Profit] came around and snatched my door open and began punching me in the arm.”
Prosecutors said a 911 call was recorded, but Moore dropped his phone and the call disconnected. A 911 operator called back the alderman just before Profit opened Moore's door, reached inside and punched him four times, Antonietti said.
Moore was on the phone with 911 during the attack, according to prosecutors.
The attackers ran off before police could arrive.
A short while later, Moore spotted Profit — whom he recognized as a prostitute who regularly worked in the area — at a gas station in the 7600 block of South Halsted Street, prosecutors said.
Moore called police, and Profit was arrested at the gas station about about 3:35 a.m., according to an arrest report.
Antonietti said Moore "suffered redness and soreness to his right forearm" as a result of the attack.
Following a brief bond hearing Monday, Cook County Judge Donald Panarese Jr. said Profit, who lives in the 6100 block of South Rockwell Street, could be released on Profit's own recognizance.
Antonietti encouraged the judge to require electronic monitoring, but Panarese pointed out that Profit has no criminal background. Panarese did set a special condition of bond: Profit is not allowed to have any contact with Moore.
"Just stay away from him, you understand?" Panarese said.
"Yes," Profit replied.
Moore is urging residents to form block clubs, work with the police, look out for neighbors and report suspicious activities.
“It’s important to have block clubs,” Moore said. “When block clubs, people and police get involved, we are going to change this.”
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