A man has been charged with trying to kill a Fuller Park gas station convenience store worker who confronted him about stealing candy bars last month, prosecutors said.
Kenneth Thompson, 48, appeared for a court hearing Saturday on charges of attempted murder in the stabbing of the 22-year-old woman’s neck with a 3-inch, folding pocket knife. Thompson, of the 5400 block of South Wells Street in Fuller Park, was ordered held without bail by Cook County Judge Maria Kuriakos Ciesil, who said Thompson was a danger to himself and society.
Prosecutors said that on or before March 14, Thompson went into the gas station convenience store at 300 W. Garfield Blvd. in Fuller Park and stole some candy bars. The store worker did not discover the theft until after she reviewed surveillance footage.
About 7:45 a.m. March 14, Thompson again went into the store and was immediately recognized by the worker, who confronted him about the theft and called the police, prosecutors said. Thompson tried to leave the store but the worker blocked the door. Thompson bit the worker and the two struggled until the worker gained control of him, and held him down as she waited for police to arrive.
Thompson then pulled out the pocket knife and stabbed her in the neck, causing a 2-inch-long puncture wound, prosecutors said. The worker, who lives in the Douglas neighborhood, was taken to St. Bernard Hospital and given stitches. She has since been released, according to court documents.
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Thompson was identified by both the worker and a witness as the person who stabbed her. He was arrested at 11:05 a.m. Thursday. He is unemployed, according to court documents.
He is due back in court April 6.