Man wards off muggers with tequila bottle

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CHICAGO, March 22 (UPI) -- A 71-year-old Chicago liquor salesman said he fended off a group of young robbers by brandishing a sample bottle of tequila and threatening them with it.

Willie Whitehead said he was walking to his car in the Englewood neighborhood Wednesday afternoon when four of the youths attempted to mug him while another stood watch at the corner, the Chicago Tribune reported Thursday.

Whitehead said the muggers pulled on his briefcase and ripped his suit trying to reach his cellphone until he held the bottle of tequila over his head.

"I told them to come on with it. I was going to hit them with it," Whitehead said.

The attackers fled and Whitehead called police, who said the suspects were arrested in the area.

Jesse Jackson, 18, and Demetrius Shields, 17, were charged with felony attempted robbery of a senior. Three boys aged 11, 14, and 16 were charged as juveniles with attempted robbery of a senior.