Men Angry Over Not Being Sold Cigars Without ID, Threaten Store Clerk: COPS

OAK LAWN, IL -- Two youthful cigar smokers threatened clerks and customers at an Oak Lawn gas station when employees would not sell them tobacco products because they did not have any ID, police said. Both lads allegedly led police on a foot chase into a residential area. One of the alleged offenders was found hiding in a trailer park, the other hopped a fence into a back yard, Chief Randy Palmer said via email.

King D. Thomas, 22, from the 3800 block of West 84th Place, Chicago, is charged with one felony count of aggravated battery to a police officer. He is also charged with misdemeanor attempting to obstruct justice, resisting arrest, criminal trespassing, assault, disorderly conduct and possession of cannabis. Police said he also had a $10,000 arrest warrant from Bridgeview for resisting a police warrant.

Anthony A. Mitchell, 20, of the 9600 block of Pulaski Road, Evergreen Park, is facing misdemeanor charges of disorderly conduct, criminal trespass to real property and obstructing a police officer. Mitchell posted bond at the Oak Lawn police station.

According to the criminal complaint, Thomas and Mitchell were trying to purchase cigars around 4:48 p.m. Sept. 12 at Thornton’s Gas Station, 9138 S. Cicero Ave. in Oak Lawn. When the employee told the men she couldn't sell them cigars because they didn't have ID, police said the two men became belligerent. Thomas and Mitchell allegedly started harassing and threatening customers to buy cigars for them. The employee refused to sell the tobacco products to a third party.

The employee called police and a chase ensued, police said. Both fled the area northbound on Cicero Avenue and into the Airway Mobile Home Park. Thomas allegedly struck an Oak Lawn police officer multiple times. He hopped over a fence into Hometown where he was reportedly taken down at Knox and 90th Street. Mitchell was found hiding under a porch in the mobile home park, police said.

Thomas appeared at a bond hearing in Bridgeview on Sept. 14, where bail was set at $300,000. In addition to the pending charges, he is also on probation for armed robbery, the prosecutor said.

“Given his age and violent background he’s turning into a habitual criminal,” Cook County Judge Peter Felice said.

Thomas is due back in court Oct. 4 in Bridgeview.