Twice-Arrested Elmhurst Man Speaks Little English

ELMHURST, IL – The man who was arrested twice on New Year's Day speaks Czech and understands little English, police said.

Lukas Kalman, 31, of the 700 block of North Emroy Avenue, was first arrested on a charge of assault.

Through a public records request, Patch obtained the full police report.

About 12:30 p.m. Jan. 1, two neighbors reported that Kalman was going through mailboxes in the 200 block of East Belden Avenue.

One of the residents saw Kalman at the end of his driveway. The resident, who was in his garage, asked Kalman whether he needed anything, police said. Kalman replied in Czech.

Kalman then walked away toward a neighbor's house and opened the mailbox, then proceeded to open several others, police said.

The original neighbor and another one followed Kalman and asked him what he was doing. Kalman pulled out a box cutter, extended the blade and held it in the direction of the neighbors, police said.

When police arrived, one of the officers said in his report that he did not see Kalman with the box cutter, but asked Kalman to drop his knife on the ground.

Kalman did so. During a search, police found a second folding knife in Kalman's front pants pocket, the report said.

Police called a former Elmhurst officer, James Kveton, who speaks Czech, to translate their conversation with Kalman.

Kveton read Kalman his Miranda rights and informed him he was being charged with assault.

Through the translator, Kalman admitted to pulling out the box cutter, but said he did so to protect himself, police said. Kalman denied opening up mailboxes.

He was released after posting a bond.

Five hours later, police responded to a domestic disturbance in the 700 block of North Emroy.

Kalman was then charged with aggravated battery to a police officer, attempted aggravated arson and attempted aggravated residential arson.

He was taken to the DuPage County Jail, where he remained as of Wednesday afternoon. His bond is $20,000, with the requirement that he pay $2,000 to be released.

According to the police report, Kalman's place on Emroy is under construction. Kalman is working for the homeowner and staying at the house, police said.