Romeoville Man Arrested, Charged In Prescription Narcotics Scam: Cops

ROMEOVILLE, IL — A 28-year-old Romeoville man faces numerous criminal charges including attempting to fraudulently obtain prescription drugs after he was arrested earlier this month, police said.

Manuel S. Gonzalez was arrested in Pike County on Dec. 19 along with a River Forest man after the pair were caught attempting to use fictitious names of patients and doctors to obtain prescriptions through an electronic system, Pittsfield police said in a news release.

Police caught the men after the River Forest man, Michael O. Battista, attempted to pick up drugs at a Pittsfield pharmacy, police said. Battista ran when police attempted to make contact with him, Pittsfield Police Chief Michael Starman said.

Gonzalez was arrested after police said he drove off from the pharmacy. Following a short chase, Gonzalez pulled his vehicle over and surrendered to police.

Battista has been charged in Pike County Court with obtaining a controlled substance by fraud. Gonzalez was charged with two counts of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud, as well as numerous traffic offenses. Bond for each man was set at $6,000, police said.