Chicago man charged with murder in Park Ridge strangling death
By JENNIFER JOHNSON Sun-Times Media jjohnson@pioneerlocal.com February 15, 2012 1:56PM
Yuron Robinson
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Updated: February 15, 2012 2:27PM
A 34-year-old Chicago man has been charged with killing the man whose body was found last week along a Park Ridge street.
Yuron Robinson, 34, of 7651 S. Dante, Chicago, was charged with first-degree murder in the strangulation death of 39-year-old Henry “Chip” Mallek, Park Ridge Police Chief Frank Kaminski said Wednesday.
Robinson, who police said has an extensive criminal history, is accused of strangling Mallek after the two argued over money Robinson owed the victim for drug deals, Kaminski said.
“The motive seems to be related to money and drugs, and probably a poor business transaction that didn’t work,” Kaminski said.
Mallek’s body was found shortly before 2:30 a.m. Feb. 9 in a parking area along the Union Pacific railroad tracks in the 200 block of Summit Avenue.
His hands had been bound in front of him with plastic ties, Kaminski said.
Mallek, who had grown up in Park Ridge, was last been seen the evening of Feb. 8 when he left his apartment in Chicago’s Edison Park neighborhood. Investigators believe he had left the apartment to meet Robinson, Kaminski said.
Robinson was apprehended by police Sunday as he attempted to board a bus on its way to Iowa, Kaminski said.
He was charged with murder Tuesday, and Judge Larry Axelrood on Wednesday ordered him held in lieu of $5 million bail during a hearing at the Cook County courthouse in Skokie.
Kaminski said investigators believe Mallek was murdered near where his body was found. His cell phone was found several blocks from the scene and was turned over to police.
Mark Mallek, the victim’s brother, said Wednesday he was glad Robinson has been charged but doesn’t think the case is closed. His sister, Nikki, agreed.
“There’s more to it. There has to be,” she said.
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