Officer Injured Trying to Subdue Parolee after Theft

A police officer sustained lacerations and abrasions to his right hand Aug. 27 while attempting to restrain a parolee who was involved with a felony retail theft, police said.

Police responded to a robbery in progress and, along with a security guard, apprehended Eddie Williams, 40, of Berwyn, as he was running out of Ultra Foods, 7520 Roosevelt Rd. Williams was agitated and verbally abusive with authorities, who then cuffed his left hand to detain him, police said. Williams continued to struggle and then got on top of the officer, tightening his arms and refusing to obey verbal commands, police said. Proceeds from the theft started falling out of his pants during the altercation, police said.

The officer got Williams on the ground to cuff his right arm just as backup arrived on the scene. Eventually his right wrist was cuffed.

The security guard told police he spotted Williams meandering through the store taking batteries, two lighters and anti-perspirant and placing them into his pants. The goods were valued at $39.17.

The officer sought medical treatment for his injuries, police said.

In addition to felony retail theft, Williams was also charged with felony resisting arrest and robbery. Police said he was on parole with the Illinois Department of Corrections and on home monitoring when the incident took place. His parole was revoked as a result of his arrest, police said.