Pepper Spray Deployed As Teens Spit At, Push, Kick Officers During Joliet Fireworks Show Disturbance: JPD

JOLIET, IL — Police said five teenagers were arrested and pepper spray was deployed Friday night after a disturbance at Joliet's Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park during a fireworks show and block party celebrating the 4th of July.

Police said they responded to a report of a large group of teenagers causing a disturbance at 9:15 p.m. at the playground area near Bluff Street, south of Jefferson Street.

According to Joliet police, officers saw a 17-year-old girl who had alcohol. The girl refused commands and resisted efforts to take her into custody, police said.

Meanwhile, surrounding juveniles started interfering with police and refused commands to leave the area, according to officials.

The girl was ultimately taken into custody, but police said another 17-year-old girl pushed and spit at an officer, while a 13-year-old girl kicked an officer and an 18-year-old man pushed a cop as well.

Police said as the disturbance escalated, "officers were surrounded by an increasingly hostile group," with multiple teens refusing commands to disperse.

Officers also saw juveniles lighting fireworks in the direction of police and nearby attendees at the Joliet Eve of Independence America 250 celebration, according to a news release.

Police deployed pepper spray "in response to the escalating situation and to restore order," police said.

After the fireworks show, officers cleared the area around Bicentennial Park and surrounding areas to allow attendees to leave safely, but "despite repeated lawful commands to leave the property, several individuals continued to refuse compliance, resulting in additional disturbances and arrests," police said.

An 18-year-old man, Tyreke Johnson of Joliet, was arrested on charges of aggravated battery to an officer, mob action, criminal trespassing and resisting/obstructing an officer. He was released on a notice to appear.

Four other teens, all underage, were also arrested, charged and released to a parent or guardian, according to police:

• A 13-year-old girl charged with two counts of aggravated battery to an officer, criminal trespassing and resisting/obstructing an officer.
• A 15-year-old boy charged with mob action, criminal trespassing and resisting/obstructing an officer.
• A 17-year-old girl charged with possession/consumption of alcohol under age 21, three counts of resisting/obstructing an officer, mob action and criminal trespassing.
• A 17-year-old girl charged with aggravated battery to an officer, mob action and resisting/obstructing an officer.

In a statement, Joliet police said they "(want) to be clear that this type of disruptive and dangerous behavior will not be tolerated at community events. Parents and guardians are strongly encouraged to remain aware of their teenagers’ activities, whereabouts, and behavior, particularly during large public gatherings."

Police called the incident isolated, saying it "does not reflect the overall atmopshere of the event, which was attended by thousands of community members who gathered safely to celebrate the holiday."