Tailgater Knees Cop, Floods Toilet in Jail Cell: Police

EVERGREEN PARK, IL -- A man under arrest for DUI removed the stuffing out of his mattress and flooded the toilet in his cell, but not before assaulting a cop, prosecutors said in court.

Francisco Martinez, 29, appeared before Cook County Judge Donald Havis on felony charges of aggravated battery to a police officer and criminal damage to state supported property. He also has a misdemeanor charge of driving under the influence.

The prosecutor said that driver, later identified as Martinez, was tailgating an Evergreen Park police officer’s patrol car in the early morning hours of Fe. 16. Martinez was pulled over. The officers said Martinez smelled of alcohol and refused field sobriety tests.

While at the Evergreen Park police station, Martinez complained of neck pain, the prosecutor said. He was taken to Little Company of Mary Hospital, when Martinez allegedly became combative when being put into bed. The prosecutor said Martinez used a racial slur and kneed a police officer’s head.

Martinez was discharged and brought back to the police station. While in jail, the prosecutor said that Martinez pulled the stuffing out of his mattress. Martinez is said to have stuffed the toilet with mattress stuffing and toilet paper.

According to police, Martinez flushed the toilet and flooded his cell, causing approximately $1,000 worth of damage.

The prosecutor said this is Martinez’s first arrest.

Bail was set at $25,000. Martinez is due back at court March 10 in Bridgeview.