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Man Points Gun At Baby, Shoots Stranger During Robbery Spree: Charges

By Erica Demarest | January 5, 2017 7:54am | Updated on January 6, 2017 11:27am
 Isaiah Scaife, 19, is accused of stealing socks and a 2014 Chevy Camaro during the November spree.
Isaiah Scaife, 19, is accused of stealing socks and a 2014 Chevy Camaro during the November spree.
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DNAinfo; Chicago Police Department

COOK COUNTY CRIMINAL COURTHOUSE — A man on parole for a gun conviction is accused of pointing a gun at a baby and shooting a stranger in his face during a South Side robbery spree.

According to prosecutors, Isaiah Scaife made off with socks, cellphones and a 2014 Chevy Camaro during the armed spree, which lasted five days in November.

Scaife, 19, was previously convicted of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and sentenced to 15 months in prison, state records show. He was released on parole in June.

The armed-robbery spree started Nov. 18 at a Subway restaurant at 7100 S. Western Ave., Assistant State's Attorney Lorraine Scaduto said during a bond hearing Wednesday.

Scaife is accused of trying to get behind the restaurant's counter before pointing a gun at a baby sitting with two customers eating breakfast. Scaife and a juvenile accomplice stole a purse, $20 cash and two LG cellphones valued at $40 each, court records show.

The duo then fled in a blue van, and the victims called 911, Scaduto said. As police investigated the robbery, a call came in about another armed confrontation in the 8200 block of South Kedzie Avenue.

According to prosecutors, Scaife targeted a man leaving a Citgo about 10:10 a.m. Nov. 18. Court records show Scaife stole a cellphone, keys and socks before repeatedly beating the victim with a gun.

Once the victim was on the ground unconscious, Scaduto said, Scaife shot the man once in his face. The victim suffered teeth and nerve damage, prosecutors said, and still feels numbness near the wound.

The following day, Scaife stole an iPhone 6 Plus from a 20-year-old man at the same Subway restaurant at 7100 S. Western Ave., court records show.

Prosecutors allege Scaife choked the victim while a juvenile accomplice pointed a gun at the man about 5:30 p.m. Nov. 19.

Scaife popped up again Nov. 22 when he began talking to a 27-year-old man at a gas station in the 7200 block of South Western Avenue about 1:10 a.m., prosecutors said.

The victim was driving a 2014 Chevy Camaro, and Scaife inquired about the car, according to Scaduto. That's when Scaife reportedly pulled a gun and stole the victim's iPhone, wallet, car keys and car, prosecutors said.

Authorities were able to track the vehicle using the OnStar program, Scaduto said.

At the time of the alleged crimes, Scaife was on parole for a gun conviction and required to remain under house arrest with an electronic-monitoring bracelet, authorities said.

In court Wednesday, Scaife's public defender said Scaife believes electronic-monitoring records will show he was home during each of the robberies.

As a juvenile, Scaife was convicted of theft, attempted theft, criminal trespass and possession of a stolen motor vehicle, Scaduto said.

Scaife, of south suburban Riverdale, is now charged with attempted murder, aggravated robbery, armed robbery with a firearm, attempted armed robbery with a firearm and carjacking.

Cook County Judge Maria Kuriakos Ciesil on Wednesday denied Scaife bail. If convicted, Scaife could face life in prison.

As deputies escorted Scaife out of a courtroom at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse, 2600 S. California Ave., on Wednesday afternoon, he began to yell and told deputies, "I'm going to spit on your a--."

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