CHICAGO (WLS) — A 50-year-old Chicago man has been charged following an incident in which he reportedly threw a liquid on a group of parents and children leaving a Mexican folkloric dance class, Chicago police confirmed Wednesday.
Robert Villanueva faces battery charges in connection with the incident, which took place around 10 p.m. last Friday near Belmont Avenue and Pulaski Road on Chicago’s Northwest Side.
Video of the event has gone viral, showing a woman heard saying to dancers with the Ballet Folklorico de Chicago, “You’re lucky ICE isn’t here,” just before the liquid was thrown.
Parents, children, and the Belmont Gardens dance studio expressed feeling under attack after the incident. The couple involved spoke with ABC7 Chicago, admitting their actions were wrong but also stated they feel threatened by the backlash they have received.
Robert Villanueva is scheduled to appear in court on April 9.
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https://abc7chicago.com/post/robert-villanueva-poured-liquid-kids-parents-leaving-ballet-folklorico-de-chicago-class-belmont-gardens-charged-cpd/18704531/