A woman caught on video saying she believes in “white power” during a face mask dispute was arrested after it turned into a physical fight at the Home Depot in McHenry.
Teri A. Hill, 54, of the 2600 block of Wall Street in McHenry, was charged with one count of battery, a Class A misdemeanor, and one count of disorderly conduct, a Class C misdemeanor.
The McHenry Police Department said they responded around 4:58 p.m. Friday to the Home Depot, 2461 North Richmond Road, for a report of a disturbance between two customers.
McHenry Police Department Public Affairs Officer Patrick Polidori said that officers conducted an investigation and learned the two female customers had a disagreement over face coverings.
A video posted on social media shows the confrontation take place.
“I was at The Home Depot this afternoon looking for storage walking and talking with a kind employee,” Sydney Waters said.
“A woman interrupted us, removed her face mask only to tell the employee that she was angry that other customers didn’t have theirs on,” Waters said.
Waters said that the woman, identified by police as Hill, walked away to go find the manager of the store.
“When we passed her I said, ‘ma’am if you’re going to demand other folks keep their masks on it’s important you do too.’”
“She posted up. Told me I wasn’t going to tell her what to f—ing do. Then she took her mask all the way off, put it in her pocket and let me know she was going to spit and cough on me,” Waters said.
“You’re disrespectful to everyone else in this store and the entitlement is disgusting,” Waters says to Hill in the video.
“Yes I am entitled, I’m white, I’m a woman,” Hill says.
“What does you being white have to do with you getting your way?” Waters asks. “Because I’m a white woman, that’s what happens,” Hill replies.
“You’re a disgusting racist piece of trash,” Waters says and then Hill replies, “I believe in white power.”
The video cuts out as a physical altercation then takes place between the two women. Minor injuries were reported but neither of the women requested medical care, Polidori said.
Officers collected independent witness statements and video footage and determined there was probable cause to charge Hill, Polidori said.
She was released at the scene on a personal recognizance bond with a notice to appear in court on August 19.
Anyone with video or information about the incident is asked to contact the Criminal Investigation Division of the McHenry Police Department at 815-363-2599.
Those wishing to pass along anonymous information are encouraged to call the McHenry Police Tip Line at 815-363-2124. All calls made to the tip line are anonymous as Caller ID is not used.