'Rudely Awakened' Couple Kick, Swat Off-Duty County Cop: Prosecutor

Photo: Nicholas Fountas, 23, and Ashleigh Kemper, 25, of Orland Park. | Cook County Sheriff’s Office

An Orland Park couple sleeping in a car in the middle of the afternoon kicked and swatted an off-duty Cook County police commander after they were awakened during a well being check, prosecutors said in court Monday.

Ashleigh Kemper, 25, and Nicholas Fountas, 23, were both charged with aggravated battery against a police officer.

According to the charges, the off-duty police commander received a call from his neighbor about some people sitting in front of her house, who appeared to be sleeping inside a running car around 3 p.m. Jan 3.

When the police commander and his son approached the car to conduct a well being check, they found Kemper and Fountas fast asleep in the car, prosecutors said.

Fountas allegedly told the police commander to “get the f--k away from my car” when he knocked on the window. The police commander showed Fountas his badge, before he pulled Fountas out of the vehicle.

Kemper jumped out of the car and started kicking and swatting the police commander, after Fountas alleged that the badge was fake, prosecutors said.

An Orland Park police officer testified that the off-duty police commander had visible injuries to his left ear, the back of his hands and left knee.

Police later executed a search warrant on the car and found hypodermic needles and baggies with white residue, according to new information provided by Orland Park police.

The assistant public defender told the judge that Kemper has been living in Orland Park for the past three months with Fountas’ parents.

Fountas did not appear in court because he was being evaluated after he had wrapped clothing around his neck and threatened to commit suicide, the Orland Park police officer said.

Bail for Fountas was set at $20,000. Kemper’s bail was set at $5,000. She must also submit to random drug testing.

Both are due back in court Jan. 20 in Bridgeview.

This story has been updated with new information.