Man beaten in checkout line dispute (Christmas Eve at WalMart)

Chicago Sun-Times ^ | December 26, 2003 | DAVE NEWBART Staff Reporter

[Chi-townChief]

Matthew Baures loves Christmas, but he learned the hard way that there is very little holiday cheer while waiting in line at a Wal-Mart on Christmas Eve.

The 22-year-old Berwyn man was pummeled with a baseball bat and beaten by as many as four people after a dispute over a place in line at a Forest Park Wal-Mart.

"I couldn't believe someone would actually do this on Christmas Eve,'' Baures said Thursday as he nursed a bruised eye and aching tailbone and ribs.

Forest Park police were looking for two to four male suspects in the incident. There had been no arrests by Thursday afternoon, but police "have some good leads,'' Sgt. Mike Keating said.

Baures, an unemployed Web designer, was last-minute shopping with his girlfriend and another friend at the Wal-Mart at 1300 Des Plaines Ave. about 6 p.m. Wednesday. They picked up some toy race cars, Batman figures and other gifts for his girlfriend's children, along with some household goods.

The checkout lines were "the longest I've ever seen at a store,'' Baures said. His girlfriend went to the car while he waited with their friend. There were so many people it was confusing exactly where the ends of the lines were, he said.

They got into one line, and a girl began yelling at them they had cut in front of her. Baures and his friend argued with her, but let the girl go in front of them. The girl proceeded to allow what appeared to be her mother and friends to cut in front as well, but neither Baures nor his friend objected.

At one point the girl began staring at his friend "like she was going to kill her,'' Baures recalled, and they asked the girl's mother to ask the girl to stop. That led to an even bigger argument.

At that point, Baures says, he loudly proclaimed, "It's Christmas Eve. I just want to go home.''

But as Baures and his friend left the store after about a half-hour in the checkout line, they passed the group of women, who were talking on cell phones. Then he realized they were being followed, and the group now included boys and men, including one who was carrying a baseball bat.

"This young kid comes up to me with a baseball bat, saying, 'What did you say to my sister?' '' Baures recalled. "He was holding the bat like he was going to hit me, so I grabbed the bat.''

Another man then punched him in the face, and he fell down. Several men began hitting, punching and kicking him in his face, ribs and back. His friend then jumped on top of him and said, "Please stop hitting.''

Then the men pummeled her.

"All I could think as I lay there on the ground was, 'I cannot believe this is happening on Christmas Eve.' '' Baures said. "It was over nothing. They went straight to violence.''

Although a crowd formed, no one came to their aid, Baures said. But someone did provide police with the license plate number of a light-colored Cadillac in which some of the men fled. Others left in a different car.

Baures said Wal-Mart security did little to either calm the situation in the store or break up the fight in the parking lot. No one answered the store's phone on Thursday.

Forest Park police, who arrived after the fight, said they didn't know how security responded, but said tempers flared in the stress of the holiday rush.

"I'm glad I got my shopping done early,'' Keating said.

Forest Park Mayor Anthony Calderone said, "It's sad that anyone would resort to that type of conduct, especially with the holiday, but any day of the year.''

Baures was treated by Forest Park paramedics and declined to go to the hospital because he has no health insurance. But he said he was in so much pain he slept through most of Christmas Day and decided not to visit his family.

"I feel bad it happened but at least I'm not dead,'' he said. "It didn't dampen my Christmas spirit. The only thing broken on me is my heart.''

[Cobra64]

Another reason to shop on the internet.

[DoughtyOne]

Oh I forgot. ;-)

[lelio]

Although a crowd formed, no one came to their aid, Baures said.

Well known social occurance where no one in a group does a thing. Perhaps Matthew Baures sees the value of CCW now.

[international american]

Wal Mart is more dangerous on holidays than Baghdad:)

[Muzzle_em]

Years ago when Rush began decrying the demise of Mom and Pop stores due to Wal-Mart's arrival in small town America, I continued shopping there because of the low prices and convenience. They still have the low prices, but customer service and convenience is nonexistent. They should change their slogan from "Always the low price, always" to "Always a LONG line, always!"

I HATE that store and won't shop there unless they have an item I cannot find anywhere else. The superstores are just too large and the aisles are so narrow. You have to perform a drive-by shelf snatch with your shopping cart to get what you want or risk having someone bump into you and get p.o.'d if you spend more than a minute trying to decide which brand to purchase, and that isn't even during the holiday season. Christmas shopping there is a TOTAL nightmare!

[BradyLS]

This story just reeks of the victim not telling the whole truth. Obviously is assailants were wrong to resort to violence, but the victime likely was not nearly as peaceful as he is portrayed in the article. He probably did cut in line and I'm sure use some very abusive language when called on it.

I was thinking that, too.

[TeleStraightShooter]

I guess if the guy owned and carried and couldn't carry at that store he could sue them?

It's Illinois, so your average citizen is deprived of his basic civil right-to-carry.

However, good point, I suspect most states that give buisness that option hold them non-liable?

[Senormechanico]

It's a disgusting store full of disgusting people.
Why go there?

[yarddog]

Obviously he was telling the story from his point of view but it certainly has the ring of truth to me.

I see no reason at all to doubt it.

[SkyPilot]

This story just reeks of the victim not telling the whole truth.

Amen.

[The South Texan]

......And Thank You for shopping at Wal Mart.


Geesh!!

[SamAdams76]

Don't know what part of the country you are from but the Wal-Marts in New England are a joy to shop at. I've never waited in line more than 10 minutes. Employees have consistently been friendly and helpful. And you can't beat the prices. We get most of our household goods from Wal-Mart and my wife or I visit one at least once a week.

Wal-Mart is a very well-run company and a great American success story.

[Indie]

What color were the perps. Suspiciously missing out of sensitivity perhaps??????????

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

There had been no arrests by Thursday afternoon, but police "have some good leads,'' Sgt. Mike Keating said.

Gee whiz, Sparky...ya think the 3 or 4 security cameras focused on each checkout line might help?

[Hat-Trick]

I believe that Illinois is one of the few states (along with Nebraska) that prohibits any type of concealed carry. Not sure if Walmart has a national policy for all of their stores.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

"For that matter, what positive role models are out there for any of our youth?"

Nomar Garciaparra, Tom Brady, Tim Duncan, George W. Bush, Just About Anyone Serving a Hitch in Iraq...I could go on. One need only to look and point them out to kids who are interested.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

I HATE that store and won't shop there unless they have an item I cannot find anywhere else.

There's nothing there that can't be found on the internet for less...usually with free shipping and 0% sales tax.

For electronics and gadgets and all kinds of stuff...try Ecoupons.com

[Hat-Trick]

From Jessie Jackson and Al Shaprton to the leading icons of the entertainment industry, what positive role models are out there for blacks or hispanics?

Triumph the "Comic Dog":

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

Wal-Marts in New England are a joy to shop at.

True 'dat fellow Sam.

[petercooper]

what were the income levels, and races of these people?

oh it doesn't matter...