Suspects in custody for Norwood Park murder; one reportedly arrested in earlier child luring case

by BRIAN NADIG

A 21-year-old man who was arrested in Norwood Park on Jan. 12 in connection with a reported child luring incident is now facing charges in the murder and robbery of a 63-year-old man who on Jan. 26 died in the basement of a relative’s home, also in Norwood Park on Chicago’s NW Side.

A possible second suspect, who reportedly lives in Norwood Park, also is in custody for the murder of George Levin. The incident reportedly involved two assailants who came over to his basement unit in the 7600 block of West Talcott Avenue as part of a pre-arranged meetup. He was bound with duct tape and beaten, and reportedly a relative of Levin’s may have encountered one of the killers inside the house, not knowing at the time what was occurring inside the basement.

Alderman Anthony Napolitano, whose 41st Ward includes Norwood Park, said at noon Thursday, Jan. 30, that “two persons of interest” are custody and that charges are pending. He added that the incident was not a random act of violence.

Napolitano said that while formal charges have not been filed in the murder of Levin, news reports that one of them had been arrested a couple weeks earlier for child luring and released after the charge was reduced is disturbing.

“Another f—ing failure of the justice system. … They gave him the opportunity to commit another (offense),” Napolitano said. “The offender nowadays is the victim.”

The luring incident on Jan. 12 involved a man who reportedly called two girls, ages 12 and 13, over to his vehicle in the 6200 block of North Sayre Avenue, according to Chicago police. The man was arrested on suspicion of child luring, but the charge was reduced to simple assault, and he was released from custody the next day, police said.

A second man inside the vehicle was detained but not charged in the luring incident, police said.

CWB Chicago reported that Alderman Brian Hopkins, who is chair of the City Council Public Safety Committee, said that the those responsible for the murder are “undocumented migrants.” Hopkins has been critical of some of the Trump administration’s recent deportation efforts in Chicago.

The gruesome nature of the murder along with possible implications on the controversy surrounding whether the city should cooperate with federal officials on the deportation of undocumented immigrants who have committed violent crimes has led to this case being watched carefully by the “fifth floor of City Hall,” according to a source.

“I’ve been fighting against this f— ing B.S. for 10 years,” Napolitano said of the city’s Sanctuary City status. He said that Chicago police should be working with federal law enforcement to detain and deport violent offenders who are in the county illegally in an effort to protect citizens. He added that it is unconscionable for Mayor Johnson to use police to prevent Inspector General representatives from entering the room where he stores the gifts he receives as mayor but won’t let police cooperate with I.C.E. to remove dangerous criminals. The IG office was denied access to the room and has called for changes in how the mayor reports the gifts he is given.

The Cook County Medical Examiner’s office has ruled Levin’s death a homicide, stating that he died of multiple injuries suffered during an assault.

Responding officers found him unresponsive when they arrived at the home, according to police. Some of his belongings reportedly were missing, police said.

Surveillance camera footage from the area reportedly played a role in the investigation.

Nadig Newspapers is not naming the suspects at this time because it is not clear if they have been formally charged in connection with the murder, but sources said that charges are expected. Updates will be posted on Nadig Newspapers’ Facebook page and X account and at www.nadignewspapers.com

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