Joliet man attacks security guard at Jewel-Osco after trying to steal vodka
JOLIET IL April 16 2018 A Joliet man kneed a Jewel-Osco security guard in the neck after he was stopped for trying to steal a bottle of vodka, police said.
About 11:45 a.m. Wednesday, a 27-year-old security guard at Jewel-Osco, 1401 W. Jefferson St., Joliet, approached Moises Cerda, 26, after seeing him try to steal a bottle of vodka, police said.
When confronted, Cerda denied stealing the bottle and then returned it to the guard before trying to walk away, Joliet Deputy Police Chief Ed Gregory said in an email.
Cerda was told he was not free to leave because he went past the last point of payment before leaving the store. The guard asked Cerda to return to the store, but he allegedly refused. The guard tried to escort Cerda back to the store, but a physical altercation between the two occurred.
Gregory said the guard reportedly lost consciousness briefly after Cerda put his knee on his throat when they hit the ground during the struggle. Cerda then ran into the field on the west side of the store parking lot, where the confrontation continued, Gregory said.
Two Jewel-Osco employees ran into the field to assist the security guard when he tried to handcuff Cerda. One of the employees said that when he tried to assist the guard with handcuffing, Cerda hit him in his right eye with his elbow, Gregory said.
Officers arrived, and Cerda was arrested. He was charged with aggravated battery, battery, criminal damage to property and retail theft. He was taken to the Will County jail, and his bond was set at $75,000.
The guard was treated for minor injuries at Presence Saint Joseph Medical Center. The employee who was struck in the eye required no medical treatment, Gregory said.
