On Wednesday, a 77-year-old Godfrey, Illinois, man and his wife were walking down their street when they noticed an outdoor faucet spraying water. Worried that it might be accidentally on or broken, they decided to alert the residents, neighbors they were acquainted with.
While talking to one woman in the home about the faucet, Gerry Leclaire, a 37-year-old resident of the home, angrily approached. And for seemingly no good reason at all, Leclaire attacked the elderly man.
With a pair of pliers.
This is at least the account from the Madison County Sheriff's Office, which reports that Leclaire is now facing a felony charge of aggravated battery.
Police say that the victim was talking to the suspect's mother when he randomly attacked:
Leclaire began cursing at the victim and demanded to know why he was at the residence. Leclaire's mother attempted to calm Leclaire telling him the victim was a neighbor. Without justification Leclaire struck the victim's arm twice with the set of pliers. The victim and his wife fled the scene and returned home.
The elderly man sustained cuts and bruises to his arm as a result of the attack. The incident happened at around 7 p.m.
Here's the full announcement from Madison County:
The following individual was charged today in Madison County Circuit Court with a felony charge of AGGRAVATED BATTERY:GERRY E. LECLAIRE MALE AGE: 37 GODFREY, ILLINOIS
On Wednesday, July 24, 2013, the Madison County Sheriff's Office met with the victim of an Aggravated Battery. The 77 year old victim told deputies he was battered by Gerry E. Leclaire Jr., at approximately 7:00 p.m., on July 23, 2013. The victim and his wife were walking near Leclaire's home when they noticed an outdoor water faucet at the Leclaire residence spraying water. Being acquainted with the Leclaire family and concerned the faucet was accidentally left on or broken, the victim approached the residence intending to make the family aware of his observation.
The victim made contact with Leclaire's mother and made her aware of the broken or leaking faucet. While speaking with Leclaire's mother the victim was confronted by Gerry Leclaire who was armed with a pair of pliers. Leclaire began cursing at the victim and demanded to know why he was at the residence. Leclaire's mother attempted to calm Leclaire telling him the victim was a neighbor. Without justification Leclaire struck the victim's arm twice with the set of pliers. The victim and his wife fled the scene and returned home. The victim sustained cuts and bruises to his arm as a result of the attack.
Deputies investigating the incident located Leclaire after speaking to the victim. Leclaire was taken into custody and transported to the Madison County Jail where he was held pending a formal review of facts by the Madison County State's Attorney's Office.
The warrant and criminal information for Leclaire was issued by the Honorable Judge James Hackett. Bond was set at $40,000.00.
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