Prosecutors say a Waukegan man, who was driving drunk, kicked a police officer in the head while resisting arrest during an incident in Winthrop Harbor.
Jose L. Rodriguez-Martinez, 35, of Waukegan, was charged with resisting a peace officer causing injury, aggravated assault on a peace officer, aggravated driving under the influence, driving under the influence, improper traffic lane usage and operating an uninsured motor vehicle.
Officers with the Winthrop Harbor Police Department responded on March 25 to a report from a towing company regarding an aggressive person.
The suspect, later identified as Rodriguez-Martinez, has his car stuck in a ditch and was intoxicated, according to Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Dino Katris.
Officers arrived and confirmed Rodriguez-Martinez had driven into a ditch.
Rodriguez-Martinez refused to give his identification to the officers, Katris said. He also does not have insurance for his car.
Rodriguez-Martinez exhibited signs of alcohol intoxication and officers attempted to arrest him for driving under the influence, Katris said.
Katris said that Rodriguez-Martinez tensed his arms and he and one of the officers fell to the ground during the arrest.
The officer suffered an injury to his finger and elbow.
Rodriguez-Martinez’s cell phone fell out of his pocket and one of the other officers attempted to pick it up but Rodriguez-Martinez kicked the officer in the head, Katris said.
Lake County Judge Stephen DeRue allowed Rodriguez-Martinez to be released on a $50,000 personal recognizance bond.
A hearing on a petition to rescind Rodriguez-Martinez’s summary suspension is scheduled for April 12.