Introduction to the Incident
Suburban Man Arrested for Allegedly Spraying Deputy with Pepper Spray
A Hanover Park man was arrested this week for allegedly spraying a DuPage County sheriff’s deputy with pepper spray.
DUPAGE COUNTY – A Hanover Park man was arrested this week for allegedly spraying a DuPage County sheriff’s deputy with pepper spray.
Charges Against the Suspect
Leobejildo Torres, 58, faces one count of aggravated battery to a police officer causing great bodily harm, one felony count of aggravated battery to a police officer, one felony count of aggravated assault on a police officer and one count of misdemeanor attempted aggravated assault on a police officer.
The Backstory
Incident Details
DuPage County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a construction site on Cloverdale Road in unincorporated Roselle around 11:22 a.m. Thursday after reports of a person taking materials from the property.
During their investigation, deputies determined that the suspect, identified as Torres, had taken items without the owner’s permission. The property owner confronted Torres and called the police, at which point Torres fled with the materials, according to prosecutors.
A short time later, deputies found Torres at a nearby gas station.
When officers attempted to take him into custody, he fled on foot. During the chase, one deputy tried to grab Torres, who then allegedly pulled out pepper spray and sprayed it in the deputy’s face. The deputy fell to the ground and suffered severe injuries, including a ruptured patellar tendon in both knees and dislocated kneecaps.
Torres continued running and reportedly tried to spray two more deputies but was ultimately taken into custody. Authorities said he was carrying two canisters of pepper spray when he was arrested.
Reactions to the Incident
Official Statements
DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin condemned the actions of Torres, calling the allegations “outrageous.”
“The allegations that Mr. Torres pepper sprayed one deputy causing injury and attempted to pepper spray two additional deputies in an attempt to avoid apprehension are outrageous,” Berlin said. “Our officers have an extremely difficult job to do, and my office stands ready to prosecute anyone who would injure an officer in the line of duty. We all wish the injured deputy a speedy recovery. I thank DuPage County Sheriff Jim Mendrick and his office for their quick response to the initial call and for their work in the apprehension of the defendant. I also thank Assistant State’s Attorneys Sean Kinsella and Daniel Orescanin for their efforts in securing charges against Mr. Torres.”
Next Steps
Legal Proceedings
On Friday, a judge granted the state’s motion to deny pre-trial release for Torres. His next court appearance is scheduled for April 7.
The Source: Information from this article was provided by the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Conclusion
The incident highlights the risks law enforcement officers face daily and the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions against these officers. The community awaits the outcome of the legal proceedings, hoping for justice to be served.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What were the charges against Leobejildo Torres?
A: Torres faces charges including aggravated battery to a police officer causing great bodily harm, aggravated battery to a police officer, aggravated assault on a police officer, and misdemeanor attempted aggravated assault on a police officer.
Q: What happened to the deputy who was sprayed with pepper spray?
A: The deputy suffered severe injuries, including a ruptured patellar tendon in both knees and dislocated kneecaps.
Q: What is the next step in the legal process for Torres?
A: Torres’s next court appearance is scheduled for April 7, after a judge denied his pre-trial release.
