A man who burglarized a landscaping business in Fox Lake threw a stolen lunchbox at a police officer and struggled with the officer who tried arresting him, leaving the officer injured, prosecutors said.
Thomas R. Brunner, 39, a transient with no known address, was charged with aggravated battery of a peace officer, burglary, resisting a peace officer, attempted theft and criminal trespass to building.
Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Caitlin Valiulis said during a bond hearing last Tuesday that officers with the Fox Lake Police Department were dispatched to a burglary in progress on May 8 at Unique Landscaping Services in the 100 block of Sayton Road in Fox Lake.
The business owner received notification from his security camera system and observed a man, later identified as Brunner, going through one of his work trucks as well as his business.
The video showed Brunner go into the business and look around for approximately 30 seconds before throwing his hands up in the air and leaving, Valiulis said.
Brunner proceeded to go to several work trucks parked outside and attempted to go through them. He was able to get into one of them, which was unlocked.
Brunner could be seen on video sitting on the driver’s side of the vehicle with the door closed.
He took a lunch container from the truck and some spare change, Valiulis said.
The first officer to arrive at the scene observed Brunner on the victim’s property getting out of the truck.
Valiulis said the officer told Brunner to stop and put his hands up but Brunner threw the stolen lunch container at the officer, striking him in the arm.
Brunner attempted to run away and the officer grabbed him and a struggle ensued as the officer tried to arrest him.
The struggle caused the officer to fall to the ground. The officer sustained abrasions to his hands and swelling to a finger and was transported for medical treatment, Valiulis said.
Brunner told officers he had consumed heroin and paramedics had to give him Narcan to resuscitate him, Valiulis added.
Lake County Judge Theodore Potkonjak ordered Brunner held in the Lake County Jail on a $200,000 umbrella bond covering multiple active cases against the man.
Brunner is scheduled to appear in court again on June 7.