Aggravated Battery Conviction For Man Who Attacked Jewel Employee With Special Needs

On March 4, 2020, Bruce Mirabella was convicted of aggravated battery for punching and kicking a bag boy with special needs at the Jewel grocery store in Bartlett on July 22, 2019.

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin announced today that a Bartlett man has been found guilty of Aggravated Battery to a Jewel grocery store employee. The guilty verdict against Bruce Mirabella, 51 (d.o.b. 9/6/1968), of 201 Patricia Lane, was handed down by Judge Brian Telander this afternoon immediately following a four-hour-long bench trial. Aggravated Battery is a Class 3 Felony. On July 23, Mirabella appeared in Bond Court where bond was set bond at $50,000 with 10% to apply. He posted the necessary 10%, or $5,000, and was released the same day.

On July 22, 2019, officers with the Bartlett Police Department responded to the Jewel grocery store located on Sterns Road in response to a battery of a store employee. Through their investigation, officers learned that at approximately 9:45 p.m., Mirabella went to the store to purchase alcohol. While in the checkout line, Mirabella punched the victim, a bagger who has special needs, in the face and then kicked him in his left back area before fleeing the store. Bartlett Police Department took Mirabella into custody a short time later from his home.

“For reasons still unclear, Mr. Mirabella violently attacked an innocent man at work,” Berlin said. “Mr. Mirabella’s appalling behavior is magnified when considering the fact that the victim in this case is a special needs individual who, while working as a bagger at Jewel, posed no threat to the defendant. I would like to thank Judge Telander for ensuring a fair trial for both sides. I would like to thank the Bartlett Police Department for quickly identifying and apprehending Mr. Mirabella following the attack. I would also like to thank Assistant State’s Attorneys Bethany Jackson and Nick Catizone for their efforts in holding Mr. Mirabella responsible for his actions.”

Mirabella’s next court appearance is scheduled for April 6, 2020 for sentencing. Following the verdict, Judge Telander revoked Mirabella’s bond and he was taken into custody.

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