Man Fights Cops At La Grange Carnival: Police

LA GRANGE, IL – A La Grange man is accused of trying to choke an officer and kicking a random teen last month at the La Grange Carnival, authorities said.

The man was identified as 38-year-old Charles L. Seitz, who lives in the 10 block of West Harris Avenue. He has gotten in trouble with the law before.

Patch obtained the police report through a public records request.

In the early evening of May 31, Seitz was disruptive at the carnival and told Police Chief Timothy Griffin to go "f--- himself," the report said.

After his confrontation with the chief, Seitz left the area by walking on top of picnic tables where families were eating under the food tent, police said.

Shortly after, Seitz, who appeared drunk, spoke to random people and hugged a youth, police said. Then he went into an alley. Officers found him on the ground, with several people around him. The others dispersed.

Officers sought to keep Seitz on the ground, but he kicked them, according to the report. Then Seitz is accused of reaching up to put both of his hands around an officer's neck.

Seeing that, another officer struck Seitz in the face to prevent him from choking his colleague, police said.

When the officers arrested Seitz, they escorted him out of the alley, which is when Seitz kicked a teen who appeared to be 18, police said.

One of the people near Seitz in the alley told police that Seitz caused problems in the DJ's area and got into his personal space. Defending himself, the person said he swung his arm around Seitz's neck, bringing Seitz to the ground, the report said.

In an interview, Seitz explained the attempted choking by saying he didn't know the person was an officer.

"He put his hand on me, and I spun around, and I thought it was another guy I had gotten into an argument with, and so I choked him," Seitz was quoted as saying.

Seitz was arrested on charges of battery, aggravated battery of a police officer, and resisting or obstructing an officer.

In May, Seitz pointed a knife at a 62-year-old man and warned, "I'll kill you and the dog," according to a police report.

At the time, he was charged with aggravated assault of a person over 60, domestic battery and unlawful use of a knife.