Teen Batters, Disarms Officer Of Taser In Hospital Melee: Police

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL — A Buffalo Grove teenager is accused of disarming a peace officer, a Class 1 felony, by taking his Taser, and aggravated battery of the same peace officer, a Class 2 felony, following an incident earlier this month at Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights. Benjamin T. Rubel, 19, of the 100 block of Wildflower Circle, Buffalo Grove, was arrested June 15 on charges stemming from the June 6 occurrence, according to a police report acquired by Patch through a Freedom of Information Act request.

While guarding a prisoner at the hospital, a Prospect Heights Police Department officer saw Rubel, who was a patient, arguing with a nurse in his room nearby, according to police. Rubel then attempted to leave the hospital via a locked door before the police officer intervened. According to the report, the officer was in full uniform and ordered Rubel to stay at a distance.

Police said Rubel went toward the officer and grabbed him with both hands by his ballistic vest, worn with an exterior carrier. During the struggle, Rubel pulled the officer toward him and struck him on the bridge of his nose with his forehead, according to the report. The officer defended himself by wrestling Rubel to a nearby padded bench and attempted to take him into custody, police said.

While Rubel was resisting arrest by trying to pull and push the officer, he took the officer's Taser, which was secured on the front of his vest, according to the report. Rubel pulled the Taser completely out of the officer's holster, disarming him of it, police said. The officer said he was afraid Rubel would use the Taser against him.

During the struggle, a security officer at the hospital began assisting police. A nurse was able to take the Taser from Rubel, and he was eventually handcuffed, police said.

Excessive Force: Arlington Heights Officers Required To Intervene

The Arlington Heights Police Department arrived soon after the scuffle concluded and began an investigation into the case.

Rubel was returned to his hospital room and arrested in connection with the charges upon his release from the hospital on June 15. He was given a court date of Aug. 4.

Beware Of Coronavirus-Related Ruse Burglaries: Arlington Heights Police

Stay Patched In!

• Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest Arlington Heights news
• Check out the Events Calendar for what's going on in Arlington Heights
• Like our Crime page on Facebook
• Patch Mobile: Get app for iPhone and Android