Jewel Employee Shoved Into Grocery Shelf: JPD

JOLIET — Police said a 28-year-old homeless man, Santiago Ruiz, tried to attack three Jewel-Osco employees at the store at 1537 North Larkin Ave. after dumping a container of the bleach on the supermarket floor, Joliet police reports show.

When everything was over, Santiago Ruiz was arrested and later released on a Notice to Appear on three counts of battery, criminal damage to property and resisting a peace officer.

Joliet police spokesman Dwayne English said at 12:11 a.m. Tuesday, officers responded to Jewel for a report of a man refusing to leave the store. According to police, Ruiz entered the store and grabbed a container of bleach from the shelf and began to pour it out on the floor.

An employee approached Ruiz and demanded he leave the store, at which time Ruiz began to swing at the employee, English said.

A second employee intervened, and Ruiz shoved the employee into nearby shelves, police said.

According to English, Ruiz bit one of the employees on the arm as they attempted to restrain him until the Joliet police officers arrived. Officers attempted to place Ruiz into custody, and he resisted by refusing to give access to his arms.

Ruiz also kicked an officer, causing the officer to fall to the ground, police reports note.

Officers secured Ruiz and walked him outside the store, at which time he tried to kick another officer, police said.

Ruiz was taken to Ascension St Joseph Medical Center by the Joliet Fire Department as he continued to kick at the officers. Ruiz was released from the hospital later in the morning, and was transported to the Joliet Police Department for processing and released on a notice to appear.