Jin Yut Lew case: Chicago man beaten during Chinatown carjacking improving
CHICAGO - A Chicago chef who was brutally beaten during a carjacking is no longer in a coma and has been moved to a care center.
The family of Jin Yut Lew says his memory and speech are not back yet, but that he can follow commands.
Lew was robbed, carjacked and left for dead in Chinatown back in April. There is a $6,000 reward for information on his attackers.
Police said the 61-year-old was found "incoherent and bleeding from the head" in the 2500 block of South Princeton Avenue. He was hospitalized in critical condition.
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Lew’s family was unaware of the attack and reported him missing and his vehicle stolen. Two days later, family discovered he was hospitalized at Stroger Hospital. Detectives then began investigating the attack as a carjacking, police said.
Family said Lew had been struck with a blunt object on his head and face. He was "carjacked, robbed, brutally beaten and left for dead," family said in a GoFundMe.
In a statement, a family spokesman said: "Taking personal property is one thing, but now they are being progressively more violent toward victims. This needs to stop. City leaders need to do something about it and find and punish those responsible."
Lew immigrated to the U.S. in the early 1980s and "worked tirelessly since to support his family here and in China," Lew’s sons Richard Lew and Alford Lew said in the online fundraiser.
"As a father, he provided all he could to ensure my brother and I got a good education. In the Chinese restaurant community, he was a well respected head chef who over 40 years gave many new immigrants their first starts and trained them in his kitchen. Many of these colleagues went on to be restaurant leaders across Chicago."
Family said they’re worried he won’t be able to cook again.
"The road to recovery will be long and we are asking for help to assist with the medical bills, physical therapy, and home care that this tragic incident will incur," family said.
Cook County Crime Stoppers is offering a $1,000 reward for any information that leads to the arrest of the person responsible for this crime. Tips can be anonymous: 1-800-535-STOP.
In addition, a Northwest Side activist if offering a $5,000 reward.
Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.