Drunken Driver Attacks Cop, Spits On Paramedic: Des Plaines PD

DES PLAINES, IL — An Elgin man is accused of two felonies, along with other charges, stemming from an arrest last week in which he reportedly swatted a police officer's arm and spit on a paramedic.

Ricardo Santibanez, 27, of the 80 block of Chestnut Court, was charged with two felony counts of aggravated battery to a peace officer, and two misdemeanor counts of resisting a peace officer, one misdemeanor count of driving under the influence of alcohol. Police said he was also ticketed with improper parking on the roadway, operation of an uninsured motor vehicle, and driver's license not on person.

The Cook Count State's Attorney's Office approved the felony charges.

According to police, officers were on patrol at 10:06 p.m. May 1, around Elmhurst Road and I-90 when a black Mercedes-Benz four-door was seen stopped in the middle lane with its hazard lights on. Police activated their overhead emergency lights to create a safety barricade behind the Mercedes-Benz to check if the motorist needed assistance.

As the officer stopped behind the vehicle, she said the driver, later identified as Santibanez, was outside his car looking into the rear passenger door. Santibanez went back to the driver's seat by the time the officer had made her approach, where she requested his driver's license and proof of insurance.

Police said Santibanez appeared to be looking for something and, when asked what was going on, said that he was stressed and was returning from golfing. Santibanez said he was looking for his vape and his car keys, which the officer had noticed that the keys were in his hand, which he had then placed into the driver's door area.

Santibanez was again asked for his driver's license, which he was unable to produce. The officer observed he had watery/bloodshot eyes, and a strong odor of alcohol was emitting from his breath. Still looking for his items, Santibanez stepped out of the vehicle and stumbled while doing so, needing to use the Mercedes-Benz to stabilize himself. The officer asked if he had anything to consume prior to driving, which he replied he had.

Santibanez agreed to field sobriety tests, but police said during the first test, he was unable to complete or follow the instructions. Throughout the testing, Santibanez would refuse to do specific parts of each of the tests, but the officer noted his inability to stand without losing his balance.

At this time, another officer attempted to speak with Santibanez when he reportedly continued to get closer to the officer. The officer then placed his arm out extended in front of him and requested that Santibanez step back to create space. In response, Santibanez swatted the officer's arm and then advanced again, pushing the officer in the shoulder.

Santibanez refused all other testing, but was believed to be intoxicated and had struck an officer. He
was advised he was under arrest while two officers grabbed his arms to handcuff him. Santibanez tensed his arms and tried to pull away from the officers to defeat the arrest but was eventually taken into custody.

Santibanez continued to resist being escorted to a patrol squad, while getting him to place his legs inside the squad car, and then again in a secure area of the Des Plaines police station after he was taken there. He pushed away from a nearby wall into officers and would frequently have to be told to
stop resisting while spitting on the walls.

Santibanez said he had non-life-threatening pain, and the Des Plaines Fire Department was called to the station to evaluate him. When DPFD arrived on scene, Santibanez reportedly spit on the paramedic who was assisting him.