Authorities say a Mundelein man physically battered a woman, leading to security intervening, before becoming combative with responding police officers at Six Flags Great America in Gurnee.
Jesus Abrego, 24, of Mundelein, was charged with aggravated battery of a peace officer, two counts of domestic battery, resisting a peace officer and obstructing a peace officer.
Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Dino Katris said Abrego and his wife were at Six Flags Great America, 1 Great America Parkway in Gurnee, on Friday.
The woman began complaining about Abrego and he then reportedly began accusing the victim of cheating on him.
Security personnel called the Gurnee Police Department after seeing Abrego pushing and pulling the victim by the shirt, with her appearing in distress, Katris said.
Abrego shoved the woman to the ground and security intervened and yelled at Abrego while separating the two, Katris said.
She had a scrape on her elbow from being pushed to the ground.
The victim told officers that she had experienced domestic violence previously and it usually happens when Abrego is drinking, Katris said.
Abrego became “extremely combative” when police became involved and he kicked an officer’s leg, Katris said.
Officers arrested him and tried to place him into a squad car but he allegedly began kicking a light pole in an attempt to avoid being put in the car.
Abrego continued to be belligerent in the booking room, tearing up papers and screaming “nonsense,” Katris said.
Abrego told officers after his arrest that the victim did not hit him and that he had no injuries, Katris said.
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office filed a petition to detain Abrego pending trial, arguing he poses a danger to his wife.
Lake County Judge Patricia Cornell ordered Abrego held in the Lake County Jail until a detention hearing, which was scheduled for Tuesday afternoon.
Defense attorney Vanessa Sheehan, who is representing Abrego, argued for her client’s release while saying he does not have a criminal background and the victim has since moved out of his home.
Lake County Judge James Newman said that he was troubled by the allegations and said that what occurred happened in front of thousands and thousands of people at the biggest tourist attraction in Lake County.
“What’s happening when there’s not thousands and thousands of people around?” Newman asked, before noting the prior unreported domestic abuse involving the victim.
The judge said Abrego’s conduct with the police was “abysmal” but denied the petition to detain and said he believed there were conditions that could mitigate the threat Abrego poses.
Abrego was placed on Level 4 pre-trial services monitoring, ordered to be equipped with an alcohol monitoring device, have no contact with the victim and not possess weapons.
Abrego is scheduled to appear in court again on June 25 for a preliminary hearing.