A Crystal Lake man who has an extensive criminal history is accused of punching a woman multiple times in the face and pulling her hair in public at a festival in Crystal Lake.
Thomas D. Craft, 58, of Crystal Lake, was charged with domestic battery causing bodily harm, domestic battery physical contact and obstructing identification.
A criminal complaint filed in McHenry County Circuit Court alleges Craft caused bodily harm to a household member around 9:45 p.m. Sunday.
The incident happened at a festival in Crystal Lake, according to court documents. The Lakeside Festival was taking place from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday at The Dole.
The complaint said Craft pulled the female victim’s hair, causing pain.
Craft also punched the woman in the face, causing an abrasion to the inner part of the left side of her lip, the complaint said.
Court documents said a third-party witness saw Craft punch the victim and reported it to police.
The Crystal Lake Police Department responded and officers made contact with Craft.
He initially gave them a false name and date of birth to an officer, the complaint said.
The man told officers his name was “James T. Kraft” and was born on January 1, 25, 1973, which Craft knew was fictitious, the complaint said.
Court documents said Craft has a significant criminal history dating back to 1990 for violent offenses.
He was on probation for aggravated domestic battery at the time of his arrest. He has prior convictions for domestic battery, battery, aggravated domestic battery and assault.
Craft was transported to the McHenry County Jail and the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office filed a petition to detain him pending trial.
McHenry County Judge Cynthia Lamb granted the petition and said there were no conditions of release to mitigate the threat he poses.
“… the defendant struck the victim with a closed fist numerous times and pulled her hair at a festival in public view, the police arrived and the defendant attempted to conceal his identity,” the judge said.
Craft remains held in custody and is set to appear for a plea hearing on July 17.