Man Picks Fight with Joliet Cop, Ends Up in Jail

Provoking a fight with a cop at 5 in the morning is never a good idea unless you're aching to be arrested on felony charges, a fact Lavelle Watts learned the hard way Monday.

Watts, 32, of Chicago, spotted a officer sitting in his squad car in the parking lot of the , 14 W. Jefferson St., and decided it was a good time for a confrontation about a lawsuit Watts had allegedly filed against him, Joliet Police Cmdr. Rich Demick said.

Watts "squared up like he was going to fight (the officer)," according to Demick, and said, "Just tell me you're sorry, and I'll drop the lawsuit."

When the officer refused to comply -- in part because there was no lawsuit -- Watts attempted to climb through the squad car window and made other threats about wanting to harm the officer, Demick said.

Another police officer arrived and the pair arrested Watts, who was charged with aggravated assault and intimidation/physical harm.

Watts is being held in the ; his bond hearing is Wednesday.

According to jail records, Watts has had several run-ins with the police in Will County over the years. In October 2011, he was arrested on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol and driving with a suspended/revoked license and in December 2011, he was picked up on four warrants for failure to appear.

He was also arrested in March 2009 on charges of resisting/obstructing a peace officer, domestic battery and battery; in September 2009 on charges of possession of a controlled substance, resisting/obstructing a peace officer and possession of cannabis: 2.5 grams or less; and in August 2008 on charges of battery and theft, records show.

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