Man arrested after holding woman's head underwater in koi pond at Westfield Old Orchard shopping mall
A man was in custody after police said he pushed a woman into the koi pond at Westfield Old Orchard shopping center and held her head underwater on Tuesday morning.
Skokie police said, shortly after 11 a.m., officers responded to reports of an attempted robbery at the mall.
Police said a man hit a woman with a bag before pushing her into the koi pond on the north end of the mall.
Witnesses intervened and separated the pair before officers arrived.
Police said the man and woman did not know each other. As the pair crossed paths in the outdoor mall, the man hit the woman with a bag before pushing her into the pond and holding her head underwater.
One witness who didn't want to be identified said she saw the woman completely submerged in the water while the man had her in a headlock.
"We thought he was just swimming by himself until we came closer and saw a woman underneath the water," she said.
The woman was taken to the hospital to be treated for injuries from the attack. The man was taken into custody, but no charges have been announced.
Westfield Old Orchard said in the statement that an "active police matter" continued as of mid-afternoon Tuesday, and Skokie police were investigating.
"The safety and well-being of our visitors, retailers and employees remain our top priority," the shopping center said in a statement.
Police asked anyone with information on the attack to contact the Skokie Police Department at (847) 982-5900, to call the 24-hour Skokie Crime Tip Hotline at 847-933-TIPS (8477), or to contact Text-A-Tip by texting "Skokie" and your tip to 226787.
