Man charged with punching Costco customer
By Beth Kramer ekramer@stmedianetwork.com March 6, 2013 10:28PM
Bruce Mordini, 48, of Lake Forest charged with aggravated battery for punching a 61-year-old man at Costco in Mettawa. | Special to Sun-Times Media
Updated: April 8, 2013 7:40AM
Bond was set at $10,000 Wednesday for a Lake Forest man accused of punching a 61-year-old man at the Mettawa Costco.
Bruce Mordini, 48, was charged with aggravated battery for an incident Tuesday, according to Assistant State’s Attorney Marc Bangser. The victim and his wife were shopping at Costco. The victim pulled his car up, waiting to help his wife load groceries into the car, Bangser said.
Mordini was exiting the store when the victim pulled up, Bangser said. Mordini approached the victim and asked why he was trying to hit him with his car. Mordini allegedly hit the back of the victim’s car with his fist. The victim got out of his car and asked Mordini why he hit the car. Mordini charged the victim, threatened him and then punched him in the face, Bangser said.
The victim attempted to flee inside the store, but Mordini hit him again, Bangser said.
Bangser asked Judge Raymond Collins to set bond at $25,000. Collins set bond at $10,000.
Defense attorney Robert Ritacca said his client played basketball at Bradley University and also played professional basketball.
Bangser noted that Mordini is 6 feet, 8 inches and weighed 250 pounds and the victim was 5 feet, 8 inches.
Mordini was ordered to have no contact with the victims or the store if he posts bond.
Two Costco employees and the victim’s wife identified Mordini as the attacker, Bangser said. Mordini was not cooperative with police, according to Bangser.
Mordini is due back in court April 2 for preliminary hearing.
He is free from custody, having posted 10 percent of his bond just before noon Wednesday.
