Bensenville Trustee's Spouse Arrested In Police Station Incident

BENSENVILLE, IL – The husband of the top vote-getter in Tuesday's Bensenville Village Board election was arrested two weeks earlier in connection with an incident outside the police station.

Dimas Carmona, 55, husband of Trustee Rosa Carmona, was seen on video striking Robert Special, husband of one of Rosa Carmona's election opponents, Valarie Special.

The incident was about 4 p.m. March 21 near the police station's entrance.

Patch requested the police report a day later. Under state law, the village is required to respond after five business days, but sought an extension, citing the circumstances. It released the report Wednesday, a day after the election.

In the surveillance video, Special was speaking on his phone while Dimas Carmona was apparently across Green Street taking care of some campaign signs.

Special raised his arm when he saw Carmona at a distance. Carmona crossed the street and leaned his forehead forward, hitting Special's nose. Special then put his hand over his nose.

Both men walked into the police station.

In an interview, Carmona told an officer that Special raised his middle finger at him. He denied headbutting Special.

In one of the videos, an officer could be heard telling a colleague, "It's on video. I want to see if he sticks with that story," referring to Carmona.

Special told an officer that Carmona yelled and waved his arms at him from across the street. Special said he waved his index finger in return. He said he was a poll watcher at the police station, where early voting was taking place.

Carmona was arrested on a charge of violating the village's battery ordinance, according to the police report. He was released on bond.

In a text message to Patch, Special said the police were "very professional."

Carmona and his wife did not return an emailed message Wednesday.

In Tuesday's election, six candidates competed for three seats on the board. Rosa Carmona received the most votes, with 795. Valarie Special finished last, with 455.

Patch left a message Wednesday with Village Manager Evan Summers about why the village waited until after the election to release the police report. Summers is overseen by the Village Board, which includes Rosa Carmona

In 2013, Patch reported on Dimas Carmona's arrest in Elmhurst.