A man has been charged with five misdemeanor counts of battery after allegedly throwing liquid on children and adults leaving a Mexican folk dance studio in Avondale, police said on March 12. Robert Villanueva, 50, who lives near the Ballet Folklorico de Chicago studio at 3006 N. Pulaski Road, is scheduled to appear in court April 9.
The incident occurred around 10 p.m. Friday when students and families were leaving the studio. According to police, two residents from a neighboring apartment building harassed the group, an event that was captured on video and shared by Belmont Cragin United. In the footage, a woman can be heard yelling at the families to leave while a man pours clear liquid from a balcony onto them. The woman was not charged.
Police said Villanueva threw multiple cups of what is believed to be water as families exited the building. The victims included three girls aged 13, 14, and 15; a 13-year-old boy; and three adult women.
Alderman Felix Cardona (31st) announced the arrest update on social media Wednesday and thanked both police and the dance studio’s leadership for their response. “While we understand the strong emotions surrounding this situation, we ask that community members refrain from attacking or harassing the assailant,” Cardona said in his statement. “The police are actively working to ensure that those who were attacked are safe and that the situation is handled appropriately.” Police did not file hate crime charges against Villanueva.
According to Ofelia Guerra, founder and executive director of Ballet Folklorico de Chicago, this is not the first conflict between these neighbors and the studio. Guerra said previous incidents included confrontations over parking spaces and children playing outside. “They told them to go back inside or else ICE is going to come pick them up,” Guerra said about an earlier encounter.
Following news of Villanueva’s arrest, Ballet Folklorico de Chicago received donations and support from local leaders and community members. Studio owners posted on social media: “Thank you to everyone who stood with us during this difficult time. Your support means so much to us, and we will never forget those who have shown up for our community. We have received an overwhelming number of messages and are truly grateful.”
