$11,000 reward offered in Berwyn shooting of AT&T worker

BERWYN, Ill. (WLS) -- Authorities appealed to the public for help to capture the person who shot an AT&T worker in the back during an attempted robbery in west suburban Berwyn.

They hope reward money will be key to cracking the case. Last week, a $1,000 reward was offered for information leading to an arrest. That reward grew to $11,000 Wednesday and could go up even more.

Andrew Holmes, a victim advocate in Chicago, contributed the initial $1,000. AT&T Vice President Jim Maurer announced Wednesday that the company contributed an additional $10,000.

"When I say we're a family, we're a family. It's the right thing to do," Maurer said.

Berwyn Police Chief Michael Cimaglia said residents expressed interest in starting a fund to raise more reward money, so the $11,000 total could still grow.

Police said the AT&T worker was still in the hospital Wednesday, but is making improvements.

The victim was working on electrical panels in the 6300-block of West Park Avenue around 11 a.m. Monday. Police said that's when he was approached by young man who demanded his wallet. The worker tossed his wallet and tried to run away. Police said the suspect shot him in the back.

The employee was rushed to Loyola University Medical Center. A source told ABC7 Eyewitness News he was in serious-to-critical condition.

Officials said the suspect also fired at a second person inside a work vehicle. The vehicle was struck by a bullet, but that person was not injured.

Authorities described the suspect as a male in his late teens or early 20s who was wearing a grey hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans, and was armed with a black handgun. He was last seen fleeing on foot through the alley between the 3100-blocks of Cuyler and Highland avenues, before turning east on 32nd Street.

Cimaglia said investigators are continuing to work leads in the case.

"There were some cameras that were functioning in the area. The film on those cameras are still in the process of being reviewed," Cimaglia said.

"We have a lot of witnesses that came forward. We still have a lot of follow-ups to do," said Detective Thomas Tate, Berwyn Police Department.

But they urged anyone who has information about the suspect or the shooting to come forward and call Det. Tate at 708-795-2164.

"Pick up the phone. Work your blocks. If you have the slightest information on the vehicle or a license plate number that this individual may have ran or gotten into, we ask that you give this information over to the Berwyn Police Department," Holmes said.