Woman Battered Evidence Tech During Burglary Investigation: Cops

An evidence technician processing the scene of a burglary at a Stone Street apartment house was battered when he stepped between two women fighting each other in the hallway, police said.

The evidence tech was working on the scene about 11:30 p.m. Sunday when the the woman victimized by the break-in, 31-year-old Maurita Morris, grew emotional and started yelling and screaming in the apartment house hallway, police said.

The ruckus attracted the attention of a neighbor, Shani Garrett, also 31, who stepped into the hall and ordered Morris to pipe down, police said. Garrett reportedly explained that she had a sick child who was trying to sleep.

The two women got into it and the evidence tech — who was the only officer left at the scene — stepped between them in an attempt to restore order, police said. Garret then allegedly struck the evidence tech twice, once in his right eye and once on the side of his head.

The evidence tech called for backup and both Morris and Garrett were taken into custody.

Morris was charged with resisting or obstructing a police officer. She was released on her own recognizance. Garrett was charged with the aggravated battery of a police officer and resisting or obstructing a police officer. She was taken to the Will County jail.