Gun Pointed At Co-Worker In Western Springs: Police

WESTERN SPRINGS, IL – Two men were arrested last month after they pointed a gun at one of their co-workers in Western Springs, police said.

The victim was a 23-year-old woman working at the Animal Hospital of Western Springs, 905 55th St., police said.

Patch obtained the police report through a public records request.

Cesar Y. Chaidez, 27, of Chicago, and Manuel Paredes, 24, of Joliet, were charged with disorderly conduct. They were released on bond.

On July 22, Chaidez showed up to work with a gun, played with it and showed it off to the 23-year-old and Paredes, the report said.

Chaidez pointed the unloaded gun at the woman and then pulled the trigger, police said. This placed the woman in "reasonable apprehension of receiving battery," according to the report.

Paredes also played around with the gun and pointed it at the woman, police said.

The woman said Chaidez has brought guns, knives and batons to work before. The report said she did not feel safe and that Chaidez's actions were "very hostile and aggressive" toward her.

The report said both men provided written statements to the police. Patch has filed a public records requests for them.

The woman signed complaints for aggravated assault and disorderly conduct. Police did not charge the men with any type of assault.

Under Illinois law, "a person commits an assault when, without lawful authority, he or she knowingly engages in conduct which places another in reasonable apprehension of receiving a battery."

In an email Thursday, Deputy Police Chief Ashlee Niezgoda said in an email to Patch, "After the initial report was filed, additional follow-up was completed, which revealed that the elements of the offense of aggravated assault were not met."