PACE Driver Escapes Serious Injury After Lake & Harlem Attack

A 59-year-old PACE bus driver escaped serious injury Friday when a man got off his bicycle, jumped onto the bus and attacked him, River Forest police said. 

Chris Frantzis, 41, of Glen Ellyn, was charged with aggravated battery in the attack, which took place near the corner of Lake Street and Harlem Avenue, police said.

According to police, Frantzis thought the bus had pulled up too close to him and a 22-year-old companion from Oak Park, who police would not identify. The pair were riding a tandem bicycle, said Craig Rutz, River Forest deputy police chief 

The bus was at a regular stop, the corner of Lake and Harlem, when Frantzis got off his bicycle, yelled at the driver and pounded on the door. The driver let him in at which point Frantzis jumped on the driver and pushed his head against the window, using a choke hold to restrain him, Rutz said.  

Frantzis got back on the bicycle, then, joined by his companion, rode westbound on Lake Street. 

Rutz said River Forest police received numerous calls about the incident and got to the scene almost immediately, took down the description of the attacker from the driver and arrested Frantzis in the 7200 block of Lake Street. 

The bus driver, who police would not identify, told police he could not move out of the way because he was wearing his seat belt. He sustained some soreness in his neck in the attack but did not require hospitalization.  

Frantzis’ companion was not charged in the attack, Rutz said.