Fired At Joliet's Walmart Warehouse, Employee 'Acting Out Of Control' Damages Dell Computer: Police

JOLIET, IL — The Joliet Police Department said 33-year-old William Behnke of the 3400 block of Caton Farm Road was fired last week at the Walmart Warehouse facility on Brandon Road, and was arrested on charges of aggravated battery, assault and two crimes of criminal property damage surrounding the explosive workplace incident.

According to Joliet police spokesman Dwayne English, at 10:39 a.m. Dec. 3, officers responded to the Walmart Warehouse at 3501 Brandon Road for a disturbance. Responding officers were advised that an employee who was just terminated, Behnke, was acting out of control, English said.

Behnke had thrown computer equipment, and he also hit an employee, the arrest report alleges.

Security personnel intervened to restrain him, and Joliet Fire Department paramedics were requested due to Behnke’s announced desire for a mental health evaluation, as well as to provide medical attention to the employee who was struck, English told Joliet Patch.

Joliet police noted that Behnke resisted their efforts to place him into custody by pulling away, and he took a fighting stance. Officers took Behnke to the ground, and he was then placed into custody without further incident, English said.

Behnke was taken to St. Joseph Medical Center by the Joliet Fire Department. Five days later, on Monday, Dec. 8, Behnke was released from the hospital and subsequently processed at the Joliet Police Department. He was taken to the Will County Jail, where he was booked into custody on Monday afternoon. He was released around 6 p.m. on Tuesday, the jail logs show.

This week's criminal complaint filed by the Will County State's Attorney's Office alleges that Behnke knowingly damaged a Dell laptop computer, causing damage exceeding $500 but less than $10,000. A battery charge alleges Behnke punched his victim in the face, and his resisting a peace officer charge indicates Behnke pulled away from Joliet officer Micah Robertso, flailed his arms and assumed a fighting stance.

Behnke is also accused of throwing a laptop computer at another person inside the Walmart warehouse, putting that person "in reasonable apprehension of receiving a battery."

Will County's prosecutors opted not to file a pretrial detention petition against Behnke. As a result, Will County Judge Derek Ewanic placed Behnke on electronic monitoring and the judge ordered the fired employee to refrain from entering the Walmart Warehouse at 3501 Brandon Road in Joliet.