A Tragic Incident at Palos Park Jewel-Osco: Employee Assaulted After Alleged Theft
Last Thursday night, in the quiet town of Palos Park, Illinois, an Alsip man, identified as Jason L. Garza, was accused of stealing an employee’s backpack and then physically assaulting him in the parking lot of the local Jewel-Osco store. The incident occurred around 10:11 p.m. at the store located at 9652 W. 131st Street.
The Alleged Incident
According to Palos Park police, two men were reportedly fighting in the parking lot of the Jewel-Osco. When officers arrived on the scene, they found a 61-year-old employee bleeding from the face. The employee stated that he was ending his shift at the store when he placed his backpack on a bench inside the store to clock out. He noticed his backpack was missing and saw a man, later identified as Garza, leaving the store with it. A fellow employee confirmed that Garza had taken the backpack from the bench.
The employee confronted Garza in the parking lot and demanded his backpack. Garza allegedly responded with “You want your backpack,” before throwing it on the ground. As the employee reached for his backpack, Garza attacked him, punching him several times in the face with a closed fist.
Arrest and Charges
Officers found Garza in the east end of the parking lot and attempted to detain him. However, Garza resisted and officers had to physically restrain him. Paramedics from the Palos Fire Protection District were called and transported Garza to Northwestern Medicine Palos Hospital for observation. Garza reportedly made comments to paramedics about “wanting to hurt people” and yelled derogatory comments to an Arab American officer.
Garza was charged with misdemeanor theft, battery, and resisting arrest. He is currently hospitalized, and the charges may be upgraded.
Background Check
According to Cook County court records, Garza has had 52 prior arrests.
Impact on the Community
Local Impact: This incident has left the Palos Park community shaken. The Jewel-Osco store has increased security measures, including an increased police presence, to ensure the safety of its employees and customers. The victim in this incident is recovering from his injuries.
Global Impact: This incident is a reminder of the importance of community safety and the need for increased awareness of mental health issues. Mental health advocacy groups are emphasizing the need for early intervention and support for individuals with mental health concerns to prevent violent incidents like this from occurring.
Conclusion
The alleged assault and theft incident at the Palos Park Jewel-Osco has left the community in shock. The victim is recovering from his injuries, and Garza remains hospitalized, facing charges. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of community safety and the need for increased awareness of mental health issues. It is essential that we support those in need and work together to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
- Employee assaulted in Palos Park Jewel-Osco parking lot
- Alleged thief, Jason L. Garza, punched employee several times
- Garza resisted arrest and made derogatory comments to paramedics
- Employee recovering from injuries, Garza hospitalized and facing charges
- Community shaken, increased security measures and awareness of mental health issues
