Woman Shouted Racial Slurs In Banquet Hall Attack: Sheriff

HOMER GLEN, IL — A Homer Glen woman was charged with a hate crime after a fight at DiNolfo's Banquets in Homer Glen Jan. 4. Sarah Benain, 25, of the 13200 block of West Oakwood Drive, was charged with a hate crime, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, battery and three counts of aggravated battery to a police officer.

Benain's boyfriend Lukasz Harnik, 25, of the 1300 block of Tralee Lane, was also charged with resisting arrest during the incident.

An off-duty deputy was at DiNolfo's Banquets when someone told him about a fight outside, the Will County Sheriff's office said. The deputy went outside to see Benain and Harnik with a black man and a black woman.

According to the sheriff's office, Benain was screaming racial slurs at the black woman and had her legs wrapped around her and was punching her.

The woman later told police she had no idea why Benain attacked her. She left the banquet hall with her boyfriend, when Benain started screaming racial slurs at her and began to beat her.

The sheriff's office said the victim had visible minor injuries and was taken to Silver Cross Hospital.

After the victim left the scene, the sheriff's office said deputies were trying to talk to Benain. The owner of the business came outside and told Benain she needed to leave the premises. Police said Benain attempted to strike the owner, and a deputy got in between the two.

Benain attempted to run to the parking lot, while the deputy tried to restrain her. The sheriff's office said Benain punched the deputy in the chin and kicked another in the thigh and continuously called racial slurs at deputies while they tried to restrain her.

The sheriff's office said Harnik told police to leave Benain alone and he was ordered to move away. He did not comply, and resisted handcuffs before police arrested him.

Deputies tased Benain in the squad car so they could restrain her, and both were taken to Will County Adult Detention facility.

Benain appeared in court Monday, and had not yet been released Monday evening. Harnik will appear in court Tuesday, and was released Jan. 5.