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Teen Crushed Between Brick Walls In Alsip

CHICAGO (STMW) -- A 16-year-old boy died early Wednesday when he was crushed between two brick walls at a closed construction company in south suburban Alsip.

Authorities found the teen pinned between two pre-formed brick walls and not breathing about 2:35 a.m. at The Lombard Co., 4243 W. 123rd St., according to a statement from Alsip police.

Polive said they were alerted by a 911 call from another boy, but that caller was not on the scene when they arrived.

The victim was dead at the scene, according to police and the Cook County medical examiner's office.

Alsip police Lt. Jay Miller said the walls weigh about 34,000 pounds each.

Two 15-year-olds were with Harden when he died, and the they were attempting to steal metal rods, police said.

But the steel rods were "instrumental" in keeping the construction walls in place, and when the 16-year-old removed one or more of them, the walls fell and he became pinned, police said.

The 15-year-olds were charged with criminal tresspass to property and released to their parents, police said.

According to its website, The Lombard Co. was established in 1956 and is involved in the construction of industrial, medical, educational, commercial and municipal projects.

A company official did not return a message left Wednesday morning.

(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2014. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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