Arrest At West Jefferson Street Restaurant, Joliet Police Take Man To The Ground: Cops

JOLIET, IL — For the first time this year, the Joliet Police Department has made an arrest at the Carnitas Morolean De Don Jose restaurant at 2141 West Jefferson Street. The Mexican fast-food restaurant opened last year, replacing Tony's Place.

According to police spokesman Dwayne English, at 8:33 p.m. on May 7, officers responded to Carnitas Moroleon for a disturbance. Responding officers were provided with a description of a man who was allegedly knocking items
over inside the restaurant and yelling at employees and customers.

Upon arrival, police said officers saw a man matching the description, later identified as 36-year-old Bolingbrook resident Christopher Esbensen, yelling at occupants inside a vehicle in the parking lot. Officers attempted to make contact with Esbensen and instructed him to stop approaching the vehicle occupants, English said.

During the encounter, Esbensen allegedly became increasingly aggressive and walked toward an officer in a threatening manner while refusing commands to back away, according to English. Officers attempted to detain Esbensen, at which time police said he resisted by refusing to place his hands behind his back. Officers then took Esbensen to the ground and placed him into custody without further incident, the arrest report showed.

During a search, officers located a pipe commonly used for smoking narcotics in Esbensen’s possession. Esbensen was charged with aggravated assault, assault and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was processed at the Joliet Police Department and released on a notice to appear in court.