Daybreak Shelter Violence, Victim's Head Strikes The Floor: JPD

JOLIET, IL — A 34-year-old homeless man in Joliet, Omar Mejia, is back in the Will County Jail in connection with two more violent incidents on East Cass Street, including one that left a 60-year-old homeless man staying at the Daybreak Shelter hospitalized after his head smashed into the floor during an attack by Mejia, according to Joliet police arrest reports.

According to police, Mejia received his notice to appear in court on charges of aggravated battery, battery and obstructing a peace officer; Mejia was then booked into the Will County Jail on charges of aggravated domestic battery.

Joliet police spokesman Dwayne English said that Mejia's wave of violent behavior traces back to the afternoon of Feb. 27.

According to English:

At 1:33 p.m., the Joliet police front desk took a report of a past tense domestic disturbance. Officers were told that Mejia was in an argument with a woman in a vehicle in the parking lot of El Ranchito Supermarket at 561 East Cass Street.

While in the vehicle, Mejia choked the victim and struck her numerous times, English said.

Officers did not locate Mejia at the time the woman filed the report, and a warrant for Mejia's arrest on the aggravated domestic battery charge was issued on April 4.

Then, last week, Joliet police learned of another violent encounter involving Mejia, according to English.

On April 18, at 7:31 p.m., Joliet police went to the Daybreak Shelter, 611 East Cass Street, for a fight. Mejia was intoxicated and during an argument with a 60-year-old man in the cafeteria, Mejia shoved the homeless shelter victim to the ground, causing him to strike his head on the floor, English said.

The victim was taken to Ascension St Joseph Medical Center after suffering injuries in the attack.

A description of Mejia was disseminated by Joliet Police Department, and that same evening at 9:51 p.m., officers responded to a warehouse at 255 Maple Street for a disturbance.

According to English, the events of the third incident involving Mejia unfolded this way:

A man leaving the Maple Street warehouse building encountered Mejia on the first floor. The victim told Mejia to leave the building multiple times, but Mejia refused. The victim called police and Mejia knocked the victim’s phone from his hand and struck the victim in the head, according to police.

Another man intervened and Mejia ran from the property, police said. Officers found Mejia a short time later in the parking lot of Daybreak Shelter and took him into custody.

At the Joliet Police Department, Mejia complained of a pre-existing injury, so he was taken to Ascension St Joseph Medical Center by the Joliet Fire Department's ambulance.

According to police, Mejia refused to follow commands while at the hospital and refused to be handcuffed. Mejia was eventually secured and was released from the hospital a short time later and transferred to the Will County Adult Detention Facility after being processed at the Joliet Police Department.