La Grange Worker Dispute Led To Arrest: Cops

LA GRANGE, IL – A man was having disagreements with a female co-worker at Bella Terra nursing home, 4735 Willow Springs Road, when he struck her hand, police said.

Rigoberto Avelar, 54, of Lyons, was charged with battery. He was a cook at the nursing home, but was fired after the incident, police said.

Patch reported Avelar's arrest earlier this month. On Friday, Patch obtained the police report through a public records request.

On Jan. 17, the female co-worker repeatedly criticized Avelar's cooking and took out her phone to take photos, according to the report.

Avelar told her not to take photos of the food, but she continued, police said. Avelar then struck her hand in a "provoking manner," causing her phone to fly out of her hand and onto the floor, police said.

In an interview, Avelar told officers the woman took issue with a last-minute menu change, among other things. He said the woman told him, "Your food looks like dog food," according to the report.

When the woman took photos, Avelar said another co-worker advised him to ignore her, police said.

As he put away the last tray of food, Avelar said the woman took photos of it and warned she would send them to their manager, police said.

Avelar told officers that he waved away the woman, but did not touch her, police said. He said the woman's phone slipped from her hand and landed on a table. By his account, when she reached to get it from the table, it fell to the floor, police said.

The woman cussed at Avelar, who said he was frustrated and would quit, police said. He walked out of Bella Terra, but returned an hour later.

The next day, Avelar told police he was fired.