Joliet Police Beat Man Who Attacked Them First: Cops

JOLIET, IL —A 29-year-old Plainfield man remains in Will County's Jail one week after Joliet Police officers say he became belligerent and aggressive toward them on Caton Farm Road.

The Will County State's Attorney's Office of Jim Glasgow has charged David Manchen with two counts of aggravated battery, aggravated assault, aggravated resisting a peace officer and resisting a peace officer, a total of five crimes.

According to the Joliet Police Department, Manchen was stumbling into traffic on Caton Farm Road, possibly intoxicated, around 2:40 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1. This was between Route 59 and Wesmere Parkway.

Police say that Manchen stumbled and fell while carrying his six-pack of beer in the 2300 block of Wesmere Parkway. Then, moments later, "Manchen took a swing at one of the officer's face," Joliet Police reports reflect. "Manchen was taken to the ground ... Manchen made multiple threats toward the officers while they attempted to place him into custody."

Joliet Police officers used their batons "to pry Manchen's arms from his body. While the officers were struggling with (him), Manchen continued to kick at the officers, striking one of them," police reports state.

After Manchen was taken into custody, he spit at the officers and then refused to cooperate during the inmate booking procedures, making more threats against the Joliet Police Department, authorities state.

However, some eyewitnesses to the incident went on the social media site Nextdoor suggesting the Joliet Police Department's officers were using excessive force against the man.

"I just came home from Jewel and on Caton Farm going towards Drauden (Road) there was about 4 squads and at least 6 police officers physically beating a ... guy, one using a stick. Had I not been driving I would have taken a video. In my opinion, it was over kill. I just hope someone else saw it and was able to capture something."

According to the criminal complaint, Manchen "knowingly resisted the performance of Joliet Police Officer Robert Bukala ... being the handcuffing of the defendant ... in that he clenched his arms under his body and pulled away."

The aggravated resisting of a peace officer charge states that Manchen "knowingly resisting the performance of Joliet Police Officer Steven Erickson ... in that he struggled and kicked during the handcuffing and detainment and said action was the proximate cause of an injury to Steven Erickson."

Manchen was charged with aggravated assault because he "knowingly swung his hand at the face of Joliet Police Officer Steven Erickson, thereby placing Steven Erickson in reasonable apprehension of receiving a battery," the complaint states.

One of the aggravated battery charges indicates Manchen "caused bodily harm to Joliet Police Sgt. Matt Breen .... in that he spat on Matt Breen." The other reflects that Manchen "kicked (Officer) Steven Erickson about the body."

The motorist who saw last weekend's afternoon incident on Caton Farm Road informed others on Nextdoor that "he was lying defenseless getting beaten. Yes thanks for abusing your power."

Bail has been set $78,000 for Manchen, who lives in the 13900 block of South Weller Drive in Plainfield. He also has a temporary police hold from authorities in Dekalb County.