Drunken Joliet Motorist Taken To Ground By Joliet Police During Arrest: Cops

JOLIET, IL — The Joliet Police Department announced that a 34-year-old resident, Erik Mendoza, was arrested over the weekend in connection with felony criminal charges and multiple DUI offenses.

Police said Mendoza was released on a notice to appear in court on two charges of aggravated battery to a police officer, two counts of obstructing and resisting a police officer, DUI and DUI-BAC over 0.08.

Joliet police spokesman Dwayne English said that at 2:50 a.m. Sunday, officers made a traffic stop on a Chevrolet pickup truck near Collins Street after the driver squealed his truck's tires and failed to yield to traffic heading southbound on Collins Street.

While speaking to the officers, Mendoza showed indicators of alcohol impairment and indicated to the officers he had consumed alcohol prior to driving, English said.

Officers requested Mendoza to get out of the vehicle, and he complied.

At that point, Mendoza refused to perform field sobriety tests and became angry with officers, police said.

As officers tried to place Mendoza into custody, he pushed an officer’s hand away and shoved another officer in the chest, English said.

According to English, Mendoza resisted arrest and was taken to the ground, where he continued to refuse access to his arms. Mendoza was then placed into custody following this struggle.

Mendoza was also cited for improper lane usage, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, squealing tire or screeching tires and failure to yield from a private drive. Mendoza’s vehicle was towed from the scene.