Village of Lombard – Municipal Government Press Release Re: Justin Ward Arrest
PRESS RELEASE: DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Lombard Chief of Police Joe Grage announced that Judge Leah Bendik granted the State’s motion to deny pre-trial release for a Lombard man accused of hate crime following an incident at a Lombard bakery last Friday night. Justin Ward, 34, of Woodbridge Way, appeared in First Appearance Court yesterday charged with one count of Hate Crime (Class 4 Felony) and one count of Aggravated Battery in a Public Place (Class 3 Felony).
On March 13, 2026, at approximately 9:19 p.m., Lombard police officers were dispatched to Crave Cookies, located at 217 E Roosevelt Road for a disturbance. Following an investigation into the matter, it is alleged that while the victim was in the parking lot of the establishment, an individual, later identified as Ward, began shouting at him. It is alleged that the victim ignored Ward and went inside Crave Cookies and that Ward followed the victim inside the bakery. It is further alleged that once inside the bakery, Ward began yelling at the victim saying “f*** Iran,” “this is America” and “I can’t f***ing stand you Indians,” and then spat at the victim, hitting him in the neck and chest. It is alleged that the victim walked out to his car with Ward following him. It is further alleged that Ward fled the scene when police sirens were audible. A short time later, officers located Ward at his home where he was taken into custody…