Tyson Darden-Patrick, 21, of Zion.

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.

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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.