Former NFL linebacker and current Illinois state Sen. Napoleon Harris, after being lured to an abandoned house and robbed, proved instrumental in capturing the attackers, three of whom have now been arrested on murder charges.
Harris, who owns two Beggars Pizza franchises in the state, had given his delivery crew an early night off Sept. 6 and was called to deliver to an abandoned house that was for sale, Sporting News reported. The delivery call was a ruse to rob the delivery person, who happened to be 6-foot-3, 250-pound Harris.
Four attackers tried to subdue Harris, but he fought back and they decided to run away after they couldn’t overcome him.
“He was just too strong. He out-powered all four of them,” Harris’ spokesman Sean Howard said, Sporting News reported.
The Chicago Tribune said Harris was shaken up by the attack but managed to get into his car and follow his attackers. They abandoned their car at a lumberyard nearby and Howard called police. Blood found in the car belonged to Lester Jones, who had been reported missing and was later found dead.
Police then tracked down the suspects and arrested them in Georgia, charging three of them with the murder of Jones as well as the assault and robbery of Harris. The fourth may still be charged as well.
Harris declined to comment on the incident or its outcome, but spokesman Howard said Harris was pleased his delivery staff didn’t have to deal with the robbery attempt.
“He feels he was better capable of handling this incident than they would have been,” Howard said. “They were expecting a scrawny 5-foot-9 guy and got Harris instead.”
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