Criminal Defendant Known As 'Bobby Hill' Spits On Joliet Officers: Police

JOLIET, IL — The Joliet Police Department took a 27-year-old homeless man from Centralia into custody on Sunday night in connection with a loitering incident at one of the city's gas stations.

Joliet police said that Nicholas B. Hitztaler was arrested on charges of aggravated battery to a police officer, obstructing a peace officer and obstructing identification. He was brought to the Will County Jail because of an outstanding arrest warrant from Clinton County for aggravated battery to a police officer.

According to police spokesman Tizoc Landeros, his fellow Joliet officers spotted Hitztaler at a local gas station near the intersection of McDonough Street and Chicago Street. Around 9 p.m. Sunday, Hitztaler was seen loitering in the parking lot and approaching customers.

Officers were aware that this gas station has a trespassing agreement with the city of Joliet. Hitztaler was approached and asked for his name and date of birth. He provided a false name and repeatedly refused to identify himself to the officers, the arrest reports showed.

At that point, Hitztaler was taken into custody for crimes of obstructing a peace officer and obstructing identification. Landeros said that Hitztaler eventually provided his correct personal information, and officers learned he had a valid arrest warrant out of Clinton County for aggravated battery to a police officer.

While being transported to the Joliet police booking area, Landeros said Hitztaler became agitated and asked what would happen if he spat at the officers. They informed him that such behavior would result in an additional charge.

"Seconds later, he spat at one of the officers, striking the officer’s neck, and said, 'There you go,'" Landeros said.

Hitztaler was ultimately transported to the Will County Adult Detention Facility for the Clinton County arrest warrant without further incident.