Tuffy's Bartender Heard Woman Screaming, Man Arrested In Wilmington: Cops

WILMINGTON — Against the wishes of the Will County State's Attorney's Office of Jim Glasgow, Will County Judge Victoria Breslan ordered the release of 55-year-old California native Brandon Frojd, who was arrested by Wilmington police after violence inside the Tuffy's Lounge.

Prosecutors charged Frojd with domestic battery and he was taken to the Will County Jail on Monday and let out on Tuesday evening following the judge's ruling.

According to the prosecution's petition to deny pretrial release for Frojd, at 12:18 a.m. Monday, Wilmington police were called to Tuffy's Lounge at 1099 South Water St. for a domestic battery. A woman relayed to the police that she was struck by Frojd, who then left the bar. The victim told police that Frojd punched her twice in the nose area, prosecutors said.

Before that happened, Frojd was having a problem with another guy in the bar and went outside, according to the petition. The woman followed Frojd to the parking lot when, without provocation, Frojd began to swing his fists at the woman, causing to her fall to the ground during the attack, court documents indicate. Frojd reportedly ran from the area as the woman started screaming for help.

The bartender at Tuffy's told police that she called 911 when she heard the woman screaming for help from outside the bar.

Wilmington police captured Frojd at the intersection of Buchanan Street and Kahler Road in Wilmington, and he was "grossly intoxicated," court files show.

"Defendant was shocked officers knew his name and began asking about" the victim, court records note. "Defendant stated that officers saved his life because he was near death. Officers observed defendant to be covered in water, dirt and foliage."

In ordering Frojd's release from the jail, Judge Breslan ordered the California defendant not to drink or use any drugs. "Defendant is to have no offensive contact with" the victim, the judge ruled.

The Will County Jail listed Frojd as being a resident of Warner Springs, California.