No Bail For Man Charged In Gang Initiation Beating

CHICAGO (STMW) -- A Cook County judge on Sunday denied bond for a 20-year-old man who allegedly beat up a teenager and dumped his body in a garbage can in the Little Village neighborhood because the teen refused to join a gang.

Heriberto Ramirez was one of at least three gang members who blindfolded the 15-year-old boy on March 16 before taking him to an undisclosed location where — after refusing to join their gang — he was punched, kicked, stabbed, and robbed, prosecutors said in court.

One assailant, a juvenile who's already been charged for his role in the assault, stabbed the boy in the neck multiple times before the attackers — believing the boy to be dead — dumped him in a garbage can at 2722 S. Homan Ave.

The boy stayed in the garbage can until he felt certain his attackers had left the area before seeking help. He's recovering from his wounds at Mount Sinai Hospital.

Ramirez, of 2800 block of South Trumbull Ave., was arrested at Stroger Hospital, where he was being treated for gunshot wounds to the groin that occurred in an unrelated incident.

Ramirez, whose nickname is "Young Rocket," was charged with attempted first-degree murder, robbery, gang recruitment of a minor, kidnapping and battery.