COOK COUNTY CRIMINAL COURTHOUSE — A 71-year-old Albany Park man was beaten to death by a family friend he'd been helping financially, prosecutors said Monday.
Allen Levin, 71, was found dead and wrapped in a blanket inside his dining room on Jan. 27, according to authorities. Levin's spine was severed, and he had a large footprint on his back.
Prosecutors allege the violent attack was orchestrated by Michael Bembea, a 24-year-old family friend. Levin had helped Bembea's family with money in the past.
In late January, Bembea and an accomplice drove from their homes in Phoenix to Chicago, where they met up with 23-year-old Elijah Timatyos, Assistant State's Attorney Brian Whang said during a bond hearing Monday.
When the trio arrived at Levin's home in the 4800 block of North Ridgeway Avenue on Jan. 24, Bembea forced his way inside and pushed Levin down the stairs, prosecutors said.
Meanwhile, Timatyos and the other suspect — who has yet to be charged — allegedly waited outside for Bembea to let them in. The men heard Levin tumble and ask Bembea why he was doing this to him, prosecutors said.
Once all three attackers were inside, the uncharged accomplice tried to suffocate Levin before Bembea allegedly stomped on Levin's back, severing his spine. The uncharged accomplice then kicked Levin in the head, Whang said.
Levin died from multiple injuries due to an assault, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner's office. His death was ruled a homicide.
After killing Levin, the trio wrapped his body in a blanket and attempted to clean up blood and fingerprints, prosecutors said. The men also rummaged through Levin's home — stealing coins, cash and jewelry, court records show.
In the early hours of Jan. 25, Bembea, Timatyos and their accomplice checked into a motel on Lincoln Avenue and bought cocaine and marijuana, Whang said. All three men drove to Phoenix the following day.
"I consider you both to be a flight risk," Cook County Judge Adam Bourgeois Jr. told Bembea and Timatyos on Monday. The judge ordered both men held without bail, citing "the heinous nature of this crime and the age of the victim."
According to his defense attorney, Bembea is engaged, has a child on the way and works with his father in construction. Bembea is currently on probation for burglary, prosecutors said, and has prior convictions for battery and obstructing identification.
Timatyos has a prior conviction for possession of a controlled substance, prosecutors said. His defense attorney said Timatyos has lived in Chicago and nearby suburbs his entire life.
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