Felony filed in biker brawl: Ottawa man charged with striking cop

OTTAWA — Ottawa’s police chief said there would be more people charged in connection with Sunday’s downtown brawl, and another has. Police reported this morning that Shawn P. Thompson, 39, of Ottawa was charged with aggravated battery to a peace officer, a Class 2 felony with a base sentencing range of 3-7 years, plus one count of misdemeanor obstructing a peace officer. Thompson was picked up Monday on a La Salle County warrant.

He posted bond and was released. This is the fifth arrest stemming from the melee in the 100 block of West Main Street, and so far the only one charged with a felony for a crime of violence.

‘Clubs’ and a knife

Police initially reported two felony charges for violence following the Sunday evening fight, described in open court as “a large brawl” — involving, police said later, members of the Hells Angels and Biker Outlaws — but the first two charges were filed as felonies.

Eric P. Cronin, 38, of Chicago whas alleged to have wielded a knife — but he had sense enough to drop it when he realized the person tugging his free arm was a cop. Robert J. Thoman, 53, of Oak Forest was alleged to have had a gun — but he had a concealed carry permit and one of his two misdemeanor charges is for allegedly taking the gun into a bar.

Two more individuals were charged with traffic offenses, one of them a felony.
The short-lived fight involved 50-75 members, some two dozen of whom required medical treatment. There were, however, no shots fired, no serious injuries to police officers, as police chief Roalson had indicated the one police injury was a “minor abrasion.”

Nevertheless, police and prosecutors reaffirmed Monday that the fight is under review and additional charges could be filed after a review of statements and surveillance footage, and after a crime lab returns assorted pieces of evidence. Police reported seizing two handguns, multiple knives and other weapons.

Comments