Joliet Police Respond After Man 'Just Snapped' When Woman Was On Phone: Prosecutors

JOLIET, IL — For the third time this year and the fourth time since February 2024, a 44-year-old man out of Chicago has found his way back into the Will County Jail. This week, it's because of a domestic violence arrest made by the Joliet Police Department. Saul Pina-Merced has been charged by the Will County State's Attorney's Office with aggravated assault to a police officer and three counts of domestic battery.

According to the Will County Jail logs, Pina remains incarcerated, therefore Will County Judge Derek Ewanic likely granted the prosecution's petition to deny pretrial release. Pena was slated for a Wednesday afternoon hearing in Ewanic's courtroom.

On Monday, the Joliet police were called to the 100 block of Jones Street, which is near Glenwood Avenue. At the scene, the officers realized that the female victim had a large knot over her left eye. The woman was then taken to St. Joe's Hospital for treatment.

According to prosecutors, the woman told Joliet police that Pina had lived with her for about seven years. She advised that "things had gotten physical approximately 10 times, however, she had not previously cooperated with police," prosecutors outlined.

The woman and Pina also have two children, ages 5 and 4. According to prosecutors, she said she called the Joliet police the previous night because she was scared of Pina, but nothing ultimately happened. Then on Monday, when she was on the phone with the Jewel-Osco store, Pina "just snapped," prosecutors allege.

Court files say Pina "grabbed her by her feet and dragged her across the floor ... After standing up, (she) advised that defendant threw a picture frame at her face."

The picture frame hit her on her left eye and caused a bump. The victim revealed the argument happened because Pina did not want her at the house, even though she has been living at the residence for about seven years and she is the one who pays the bills, court records allege.

While at Joliet's police station for booking, prosecutors say Pina refused to sit on the bench and instead lay on the floor. Prosecutors indicated that Pina was told repeatedly he could not lie on the floor. When Officer Jenkins went to pick Pina up and put him on the bench, Pina lunged at Officer Jenkins in a fighting stance with both fists clutched, prosecutors say.

According to prosecutors, "Pina then told Officer Jenkins, 'You think you tough because you have that badge on? If we were outside, you'd be dead.'"

Prosecutors presented the judge with the following spreadsheet that outlines Pina's criminal history, dating back to 1996:

"Here, this Defendant struck (the victim) in the head using a picture frame," prosecutors outlined in their detention petition. "The frame struck (her) head and caused a large, observable knot in her forehead. Defendant then lunged, with closed fists, at Officer Jenkins.

"In (her) Complaint for Domestic Violence, (she) stated that this Defendant has abused her on 10 prior occasions. (She) also filled out a Domestic Violence Supplemental Report, in which (she) indicated that Defendant has threatened to harm police if they were called; threatened to kill (her); threatened to strangle (her); and that (she) had been assaulted while pregnant."