Man charged with tossing liquid on Mexican dance studio students in Avondale

A man faces misdemeanor charges after he allegedly threatened and threw liquid at children and their parents leaving a Avondale dance studio, according to Chicago police.

Robert Villanueve, 50, faces five counts of misdemeanor battery, police said in a statement.

Villanueve allegedly threw cups of liquid and threatened a number of children and adults around 10 p.m. Friday, police said.

A video of the incident posted to social media shows a man and woman, who wasn't charged, on a fire escape shouting, “You’re lucky ICE is not here.” The man, apparently Villanueve, then throws cups of liquid toward the group, according to the video. The group was leaving Ballet Folklorico, a traditional Mexican folk dance studio.

Chicago police said the victims were a boy, 13, three girls — ages 13, 14 and 15 — and three women — ages 43, 41 and 40. Police said there were other victims at the scene not listed in the report.

After Villanueve’s arrest, the dance studio authored a social media post thanking the community for their support and said they would “respond to everyone as soon as possible.” The dance group didn’t immediately return a request for comment Wednesday afternoon.

“Thank you to everyone who stood with us during this difficult time,” the dance studio wrote on social media. “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.”

The dance studio also thanked Ald. Felix Cardona (31st), the Commission on Human Relations of the city of Chicago, the Mayor Brandon Johnson’s office and the CPD hate crime unit for connecting with the group to discuss the matter Tuesday.

Cardona announced Villanueve’s arrest on social media Wednesday, and urged people to allow the justice system to take its course, noting the privacy of the minor involved.

“While we understand the strong emotions surrounding this situation, we ask that community members refrain from attacking or harassing the assailant,” Cardona said in a statement.

Villanueve is set to appear in court April 9.