Man Throws Pipe, Bites Cop's Hand In Traffic Stop: Police

EVERGREEN PARK, IL — A Cook County judge increased bail for a Park Forest man accused of throwing a pipe and biting a police officer during a traffic stop in Evergreen Park. Travis Lacefield, 63, appeared before Judge John Mahoney on felony charges of aggravated battery to a police officer and possession of a controlled substance. Lacefield also ate some cocaine, the prosecutor said.

Around 3 p.m. Sept. 6, Evergreen Park police officers stopped Lacefield at 91st Street and Western Avenue. Officers said they observed a pipe in plain view on the vehicle’s center console. When asked about the pipe, Lacefield threw it at the police officer, the prosecutor said.

Lacefield allegedly refused to step out of his vehicle. Officers reached into the vehicle as Lacefield continued to reach into the center console, when the prosecutor said Lacefield bit the officer’s wrist breaking the skin. Police said Lacefield ate the suspected cocaine in front of the officers. The officer was treated at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn.

Lacefield’s attorney told the judge that his client has neuropathy. The attorney also said that police tased Lacefield.

“I don’t think he is intended to bite the officer,” the attorney said.

“Where did he intend to bite him,” Mahoney asked.

The attorney said the hospital took “vials of blood” from Lacefield, who tested negative for HIV and hepatitis.

Lacefield appeared Sept. 7 for a bond hearing at the Leighton Criminal Courts Building, where bail was set at $1,000.

The judge increased Lacefield’s bail to $250,000. Lacefield is due back in court Oct. 4 in Bridgeview.