Forest Preserve Cop Gets 'Bowled Over' In Bowling Alley Fight: Prosecutors

An officer for the Forest Preserves of Cook County was charged with battery for allegedly fighting with a woman at a Westchester bowling alley.

Prosecutors said that police went to Eden Lanes, 10159 W. Cermak Road, Westchester, around 4:21 a.m. June 9, for a fight that started inside the bowling alley and spilled out into the parking lot.

According to the charges, the woman was looking for keys to leave when she and the defendant, Joe Gotch, 31, got into an altercation, part of which she video taped on her cell phone. He is also accused of kicked and breaking the woman’s passenger side mirror.

Gotch’s attorney told the judge that he was a K9 officer for the Forest Preserves of Cook County. She admitted to not seeing the woman’s cell phone video, but noted that Gotch call 911 twice for assistance.

The mirror on the woman’s car, Gotch’s attorney said, was broken as a result of the alleged fight.

Cook County Judge Peter Felice set bail at $10,000. Gotch’s next court date is July 9.

“Stay home, Mr. Gotch,” the judge said. “Nothing good happens at 4:30 in the morning.”