Crime & Safety
Man Beaten in Dispute Over a Bottle of Water
Four people were charged with aggravated battery in connection with an incident at a local gas station Tuesday
Police say a 25-year-old man was beaten by four offenders at a gas station in the 700 block of North Independence Boulevard on Tuesday in a dispute over a bottle of water.
Charged with aggravated battery in connection with the incident were Marie T. Lane, 26, of the 200 block of Moran St., Joliet; Eric D. Williamson, 25, of the 300 block of First Ave., Joliet; Robert A. Martinez, 24, of the 400 block of Summit St., Joliet; and Samantha D. Miller, 22, of the 400 block of Division St., Joliet.
According to Romeoville Assistant Police Chief Steve Lucchesi, police responded to a call at 5:58 a.m. Tuesday that several people were beating a man in the parking lot of the gas station. The offenders fled south on Route 53 in a red Grand Am and Romeoville patrol officers stopped the vehicle at Route 53 and Taylor Road.
Find out what's happening in Romeovillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Police investigators learned that the victim of the attack, a 25-year-old man, had loaded a few cases of water into his vehicle while at the gas station. One of the four people later arrested allegedly demanded a bottle of water and the victim refused, Lucchesi said.
“A short time later the victim exited the store again and was jumped by the two males first, then the two females jumped in and all four were striking him,” Lucchesi said.
Find out what's happening in Romeovillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The victim refused transport to a hospital but later told police he suffered a broken ankle, broken nose and cuts, Lucchesi added.
Lane, the driver of the alleged offenders’ vehicle, was additionally charged with driving under the influence of alcohol; Williamson was also charged with obstructing identification for giving a false name to the officers and had an outstanding arrest warrant for failing to appear in court on a prior obstructing justice charge, according to Lucchesi.
Reports from the Will County Sheriff’s office indicate Martinez was also charged with a parole violation.
Update: All four remain in the Will County jail. Lane and Martinez are being held in lieu of $7,500 bail and Williamson and Miller in lieu of $5,000 bail. Their next court hearing is June 20.
