Joliet Cop Punched In Shoulder By Man With Whip: English

JOLIET, IL — Joliet police arrested a 40-year-old man from West Chicago over the weekend after officers say Nicolas Espinal refused to take his hands out of his pocket after being told to stop striking other people and vehicles with a whip. The incident happened in the 500 block of Collins Street over the lunch hour Friday.

In the end, Joliet police arrested Espinal and released him on his Notice to Appear on charges of aggravated battery and aggravated resisting a peace officer. The disturbance on Collins Street happened around 12:25 p.m.

According to Joliet police spokesman Dwayne English, officers learned that a man was in possession of a whip and was trying to strike other people and vehicles.

Officers found Espinal holding a knotted rope, English said, adding that Espinal refused to speak with Joliet police when they approached him, and he continued to walk away from them despite being told to stop.

At this time, Espinal was in the street. An officer tried to escort Espinal from the street and oncoming traffic. However, English said, Espinal acted as if he was grabbing an item in his pocket, and he refused to take his hand out of his pocket. The officer reached for Espinal’s arm, and that's when police said the West Chicago man punched the officer in the shoulder.

Espinal refused to provide access to his hands as Joliet police tried to place him into custody, police said. Officers managed to take Espinal into custody without further incident.