Man Tries Stabbing Jewel-Osco Employee With Chef's Knife: JPD

JOLIET, IL — A 57-year-old homeless man is now in the Will County Jail after Joliet police say Eric Coulter tried to stab one of the Jewel-Osco employees with a chef's knife in the parking lot late Tuesday night.

Joliet squad cars responded to the disturbance at 1537 North Larkin Ave. and Coulter was eventually arrested on charges of aggravated battery and criminal trespass to property.

The parking lot incident happened around 11:45 p.m.

"Coulter had entered the store after previously being banned by management," police spokesman Dwayne English announced. When one of Jewel-Osco's workers recognized Coulter, he was asked to leave, and Coulter walked outside with the employee.

"While in the parking lot, Coulter grew angry and produced a chef’s knife," English indicated. "Coulter lunged at the employee with the knife in an attempt to stab him, but was unsuccessful."

Coulter ran away from the Jewel parking lot, and the store employees called 911.

When officers checked the immediate area, they spotted Coulter just to the west of the store. He was arrested without any problems, and the knife he used was recovered by police, English announced.