Prosecutors say a man, without any provocation, told a police officer he was going to kill him before fighting the officer in North Chicago when the investigator stopped at a gas station for a drink.
A North Chicago police investigator went into the Citgo, 1015 10th Street, around 3:45 p.m. on July 11 to purchase a drink at the beginning of his shift, according to Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Emily Shanley-Roberts.
The investigator was in full uniform and clearly recognizable as a police officer.
He entered the store and Deandre D. Martin, 39, of Waukegan, was standing near the front register.
Shanley-Roberts said Martin looked at the officer and the officer asked Martin what was up. Martin said, “Get the f–k out of here.”
The investigator responded by telling Martin to get out and he asked, “Why should I have to get out of here?” The investigator responded and said, “Exactly, why should I have to get out of here?”
Martin called the police officer a “f–king pu–y” and the officer asked for the man’s identification, Shanley-Roberts said.
Martin said no and began to leave, prompting the officer to tell him he was not free to leave.
Shanley-Roberts said Martin was moving towards the door and told the officer, “If you come outside, I’m gonna f–kin kill you.”
The officer went after Martin as he went outside to arrest him for threatening a public official.
Martin turned around and punched the officer in the mouth and ran away, Shanley-Roberts said. The officer pursued him and ordered him to stop but he refused.
The investigator caught up with Martin in the middle of the street and Martin punched the officer again, resulting in the officer punching Martin back as the two fought.
Shanley-Roberts said Martin reached into his pocket and the officer was concerned he might be armed with a knife, prompting the investigator to pull out his gun.
Martin removed his hand from his pocket and did not have anything. He took off running again and the officers continued to pursue while calling for backup.
Martin got tired at 8th Avenue and Lincoln Avenue in Waukegan and police caught up to him again, Shanley-Roberts said. Martin again allegedly said, “You’re going to die if you come at me.”
The officer attempted to take Martin into custody and another fight ensued. Multiple police agencies responded to arrest him.
Shanley-Roberts said the officer involved had a swollen jaw and went to the hospital for an evaluation.
The investigator reported that he did not know Martin prior to the encounter and does not recall ever arresting him or being involved with any investigations involving him.
Martin was charged with aggravated battery of a peace officer, threatening a public official, resisting a peace officer causing injury and obstructing a peace officer.
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office filed a petition to detain Martin pending trial. It also filed a petition to revoke his pre-trial release in a pending case where he was charged in May with criminal trespass to land.
Lake County Judge Michael Nerheim granted the petitions following a detention hearing.
Martin remains held in the Lake County Jail and is scheduled to appear in court again on August 6 for a preliminary hearing.