Woman cuts in line at Hobart store, allegedly attacks woman behind her
by Lori Caldwell lcaldwell@post-trib.com|648-3258 October 26, 2012 4:28PM
Surveillance camera photo from Ross Department Store shows Chalonder Ervin in the store October 12th. | Provided Photo~Sun-Times Media ptmet
Updated: November 28, 2012 6:09AM
HOBART — A shopper at Ross department store is accused of choking another customer who complained that she took “cuts.”
Chalonder L. Ervin, 34, is charged with felony strangulation and misdemeanor battery for an Oct. 12 confrontation caught on store surveillance video.
Charging information states Ervin works at the Department of Family and Children Services; however, Indiana officials have no record of her employment. A spokesman in Illinois also said she did not work for them.
The alleged victim, a Hobart woman, told Detective James Gonzales she was standing in a checkout line with her young daughter, while holding her 1-year-old son. Her daughter was whining because she wanted a Barbie doll as they waited their turn.
When a new register opened and the victim stepped over, Ervin cut in front of her.
The victim said, “Excuse me, I was next,” and Ervin responded, “Maybe you should get control of your daughter, maybe you should try slapping her,” the probable cause affidavit states.
The alleged victim said she pointed at Ervin and said, “You don’t talk about my daughter.”
Witnesses said they saw Ervin “lunge” at the woman and grab her by the neck.
Another customer stepped between to the two women to break up the fight. The victim had scratches on her face and neck, police said.
Ervin left the store and the alleged victim later filed a police report.
Gonzales said he obtained the video of the incident, but didn’t know the name of the suspect until he received an anonymous call.
“I appreciate the information that helped to identify this woman. Anyone who calls to provide an identification can be anonymous,” Gonzales said.
