Prosecutors say a Zion man threatened to stab an employee with a knife after the employee confronted him about stealing at a grocery store in Zion.
Tyson Darden-Patrick, 21, of Zion, was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, a Class A misdemeanor.
Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Mary Vukovich said officers were called on September 28 to Jewel-Osco, 1400 21st Street in Zion, for a report of a disturbance.
The victim, an employee of the store, saw Darden-Patrick concealing merchandise on his person inside the store.
The employee attempted to stop Darden-Patrick from leaving, Vukovich said.
Darden-Patrick said he would stab the employee and pulled out a folding knife, Vukovich said.
Vukovich said Darden-Patrick thrust the knife at the employee but did not strike him. Darden-Patrick left and the victim called 911.
The victim gave a description of the suspect and the knife and officers located Darden-Patrick the next day wearing the same clothes, Vukovich said.
The folding knife matching the description given was also recovered.
A public defender for Darden-Patrick said the security employee stopped his client, put his hands on him, would not let him leave and blocked his exit, which prompted Darden-Patrick to pull out his “safety blade.”
A judge granted a petition filed by prosecutors to revoke Darden-Patrick’s pre-trial release in another case following his arrest.
Darden-Patrick had been on pre-trial release for an October 2023 case where he was charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon in Zion.