A La Grange Park Man Charged with Hate Crime for Assaulting Convenience Store Clerk
A La Grange Park man, Christopher Lesiak, has been charged with felony hate crime after allegedly assaulting a convenience store clerk in a racially charged confrontation.
Lesiak, 29, entered a 7-Eleven on East 31st Street late on May 22 and began interrogating the clerk about his religion, national origin, and immigration history. The clerk, who is from Nepal and has been in the U.S. since childhood, was subjected to racist and anti-immigrant remarks by Lesiak.
According to prosecutors, Lesiak left the store but returned over an hour later, spewing hateful slurs against various ethnic groups and religions. He allegedly demanded that Blacks, Jews, and Mexicans should leave the country, while proclaiming “White power” and insisting that the clerk should accept Jesus as his savior.
During the altercation, Lesiak also made contradictory statements, claiming love for immigrants while continuing his verbal assault on the clerk. He eventually resorted to violence, punching the clerk in the face and neck after noticing him calling the police.
The frightened clerk managed to flee the store and seek help while Lesiak reportedly continued to threaten and shout. Upon returning to the 7-Eleven, Lesiak caused further chaos by destroying tobacco displays and vandalizing items inside the store, prompting a police response.
Lesiak was arrested at the scene and has been detained by Judge Susana Ortiz pending trial for his alleged hate crime and assault on the convenience store clerk.
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