How did he choke you? >> Like around my neck. He that he told me, "Do you want to die right now?" >> Okay, but it's like I'm asking like specifically how did they choke you? >> Imagine your hand. >> No. I want you to sit there. If you move again, I'm going to put you in handcuffs. You understand? >> So sit down. >> Damn. You Mexican. >> What are you Puerto Rican? Honduran. Salvadorian. You Latin though, boy. >> I'm Latin. Yeah. >> Yeah. I see. You can't help a brother out. On November 25th, 2024, officers were dispatched for a shoplift report. Apparently, store employees saw a man walk out with over $300 worth of stolen merchandise and decided to talk to him. The thief, Edwin, didn't take that lightly and began fighting, threatening, and spitting at them. When officers arrive, they find Edwin detained and confront them. >> Oh, never mind. >> How's it going? >> Yep. He just arrived, so I'm going to let you go. Hey, what's >> Okay, >> they mad. They mad cuz I called him a [ __ ] and he mad cuz I called him boy. >> Okay, so >> I'll talk to you in just a second. Okay. What's your name, >> man? They got my information. >> Okay, so who's the employee that uh is having the uh name? Okay, >> if you two could walk over here and just have a conversation with me. Thank you. Rodriguez, if you just want to hang out. Okay. So, first off, so he's stealing something, >> correct? >> Okay. What were the items that he stole? What was the amount? >> Uh, so he stole toys. >> Is this all the stuff that he stole? >> Stuff he stole. >> Okay. >> So, what he did is he went to aisle 17. He removed it all off the shelf, put it in his Target bags and stuff. >> Okay. >> He went around the store, maintained constant observation. goes to selfch checkck out with his friend which his friend was not with him at the time of the copy of that for myself. >> Yeah, if you could actually you could make a just a sheet copy like on paper. That works for me man. Yeah. >> So we follow him. His friend meets up with himself. They go to selfch checkout. His friend buys all his stuff. Okay. >> All the stuff he concealed which his friend did not know about. So he's not um was not scanned or anything. It came out of selfch checkout. We stopped him there right at after selfch checkout. >> Right after the selfch checkout. >> After the selfch checkout. Um, we were talking to him. He was he seemed to be okay. I said, "Hey, we just need all the toys back. We're going through all the bags." Then he starts yelling at us. I said, "Dude, you got to calm down." And then he starts saying he's like a L king and this and that. And he's going to he got in my uh partner's face over here. >> So, we got his partner's face threatening that he's going to beat us up and everything. I said, "Okay, let's go ahead detain him. Let's get him upstairs. Let's get to the police." Um, once we were uh detaining him, um, we went to go bring him upstairs and that's when he spit at my partner. >> Okay. >> And then while we were up here, So he spit at you. >> Spit spit on you. >> Spit on you. Okay. Where'd you get hit? >> So I got hit here. I wiped it off already. >> Okay. >> So spit on me multiple times. He threatened to kill me and my family. >> Okay. >> He's a L king. He's going to come. >> He also he also spit on me in the office and he spit on the store director and she was there was a lot of witness all of it. >> Lot of spin. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Okay. So let's I guess start with the simple stuff for the theft. Does Juel want to pursue charges? >> We sure do. >> Okay. >> We also want him trespass. >> Okay, we can take care of that. All right. Now, uh you say there was multiple spitting. >> Yes. >> And threatening and stuff like that. >> A lot of it. >> Okay. >> If he had his block, he in the face. >> So, you were threatened and spit on. You threatened and spit on. >> Yes. >> Okay. Where were you spit on exactly? Um, when we were in the office, it was it wasn't a direct hit, so I don't know if it counts, but it wasn't a direct hit. He was spinning at all of us. It hit him. It hit me on my arm, and then it also hit the store director, too. She was standing in the doorway. >> Okay. So, who do you think he was aiming at with that? >> The whole time. >> The spit was for him the whole time. I'm a boy and that the other. So, >> now here comes more complicated. Well, it's complicated, but it's not. But would you like to pursue charges for battery for the spitting? >> Of course. >> Okay. Okay. So, would you be willing to fill out a written statement? >> Yep. >> Okay. Anybody who witnessed all that, would you be willing to fill out a written statement? >> Yeah. >> Okay. Okay. >> But would you have uh any like the video any of that stuff in that office? >> Okay. Okay. Did he give you guys a name or anything like that? >> I have his ID. >> He was complaining at first and then he got in his face. Let's just cuz he's starting to threaten to beat us up and everything. So, >> okay. >> Okay. So, at first he like just handed you the ID and like >> So, we stopped him. He was being cool like I said and then you know I said, "Hey, do you have my ID?" And at first he didn't give it and then he gave it. I said, "Okay, cool. I'm taking this for our records, you know, as we're going. Don't come back." And then he started he was like I don't remember exactly what he said at that point. Um, but then I know he he got up, got in his face, started pointing, I'm going to beat you, boy. >> And was this after you guys got all the items back and stuff? >> This was as we were getting the items. >> Oh, as you were getting the items, >> we were getting more items. >> That's what it was. I remember he was going through one of the bags to make sure we got our items and he's like, "What are you doing? Go to my bag. Touch my bag again and I'll beat your >> Go ahead. Go through it again." >> Was anything in the cart paid for by him? >> By him? No. By his friend? Yes. >> Okay. Okay. So friend can take is the friend here? >> Friend sitting. Okay. >> Yeah. Yeah. He's actually been able He's been super cool. He didn't want to be named or anything. I said for us, I don't need your name. I don't think you guys do, but I can paid for. >> Okay. Well, yeah. No, we don't need that. I just want to make sure you know if there were actually items that he paid for. I mean, he has a right to them. You know what I mean? >> Correct. Correct. >> Um Okay. Uh you guys got IDs on you? >> I sure. Um I do in the office. I can give you all my information if that works. Ah, >> it's just easy for me to take a picture. You >> want me to grab it? uh once we go over there cuz I'm going to want to I'm going to want to see the video of all this >> stuff transpiring. You know what I mean? >> Understandable. >> After interviewing the employees and reviewing the store's CCTV footage, officers turn their attention to Edwin and confront him about the allegations against him. >> Yep. >> Hey, bro. Hey, you lo these for me? >> No. >> Damn. You Mexican? >> Nope. >> What are you? Puerto Rican, Honduran, Salvadorian. You Latin though, boy. >> I'm Latin. Yeah. >> Yeah. I said you can't help a brother out in loosening these people, too. >> You right. >> I spit in your face. >> It's not very nice. >> Yeah, it could have. Think about it. >> I said that's not very nice, man. >> I know. So, you're hurting my feelings. >> I losing these customers. You hurt my feelings. Question. How does this whole new C no cash field thing work in Illinois? >> Typically with that, it's um >> how's I want to ask about that. I never talked to about that. So essentially make certain offenses non-detainable where we wouldn't arrest, right? And then >> basically he don't rape or murder anybody, right? >> It depends on the offense as long as it's letting out a misdemeanor >> and then basically you get like a ticket. It'd be a ticket. >> It'd be a ticket to appear in court type. >> So is he going to get arrested tonight? >> Dude, I have no idea. I don't know the facts of it. My partner will >> But my partner will all like my partner's busy man. >> Cool. He's Mexican. He's cool. >> I'm not even Mexican, man. Damn. >> I thought you were. >> No. Everyone thinks I'm Mexican, but it's not good. >> I'm sorry. No, you're good. >> I don't take it like that, dude. No, you're good. >> I'm trying to protect you. >> I don't want you to get hurt. >> You know, I got I don't want you to get hurt anymore. I don't want you to get shot at or you like you want to die right now, bro. How am I not going to press charges? >> All right. Hey, man. My name is Officer Wilhelm. Okay. Would you be willing to talk to me? >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, I can see you got some handcuffs on you. So, you're in c you are most likely in custody. >> You want me to leave? No. Okay. >> Okay. So, before I ask you any questions, I'm going to advise you of your constitutional rights. Okay. You have the right to remain silent. Do you understand? I need you to tell me yes or no. >> Yeah. Anything you say can be used against you in a court or a law or any other proceedings. Do you understand? >> That's fine. >> What? >> That's fine. >> Well, it's a yes or no question. >> Yes. >> You have the right to a lawyer for advice before we ask you any questions and to have him with him or her with you during any questions. Do you understand? >> Yeah. I'm with my lawyer. >> All right. So, you're not going to answer any questions? >> I meant what I say and that. >> Okay. part. >> Do you want to tell me your side of the story or not? >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> They got their stuff back there going to let me go today, man. Cuz I called him a point. I called him a boy. That's I spit on him. >> Okay. If you cannot afford a lawyer, one will be appointed to represent you before any questioning. Do you if you wish, do you understand? >> Yeah. If you can decide at any time to exercise these rights and not answer any questions or make any state you you can decide at any time to exercise your right to remain silent, not make any questions, answer statements. Do you understand? >> Sure. >> All right. Do you And you understand all those constitutional rights I advise you of? >> Yeah. >> Okay. What's your name? >> Edwin. >> What? >> Edwin. All right. >> I'm not getting my name out or anything. I don't want people show my name on the top. >> Okay. All right. I So, do you want to answer questions or do you want a lawyer? >> Question. >> Okay. All right. So, what were you doing in Juel today? >> Getting something to eat. >> Getting something to eat. So, then why did these loss prevention guys catch you with a whole bunch of toys? >> Cuz they weren't in the car. They light it on top of all of the bags. He was paying. He thought we got them at Target. That's that. >> Okay. So then why did you walk past the last point of sale those checkout selfch checkouts with all those items in your uh cart? >> Cuz I was sitting down. I was on my phone. He was the one. >> Okay. >> Putting us through the thing. >> So why' you start spitting on people? >> Cuz they choke me. They choked you? >> Yeah. And I got three I told them I got three broken rims. That's why I'm in the cart, you know. Automatic cart. >> I was on my phone. Yeah. I was in the car. >> Okay. >> They came to me and he leaned down to me. He got in my face first. >> Okay. I got in his face back. I stood up though cuz I got three broken ribs, bro. He st he turn down me. I stood by up. He got mad. He choked me cuz I called him a boy. >> How he choke you? >> Around my neck. He that he told me, "Do you want to die right now?" >> Okay, but it's like I'm asking like specifically how did they choke you? >> Imagine your hand. >> No, imagine I want you to sit there. If you move again, I'm going to put you in handcuffs. You understand? >> So sit down. >> Imagine your hand. He choked me with his right arm around my neck. >> Then he put his left arm behind my back, my back of my neck. So he had me unlocked. >> Okay. Okay. So there's video footage. I'm going to review it all. >> Okay. Okay. All right. Do you want to tell me anything else about what happened today? >> No, I just wanted to go home, man. I want to go back to my hotel. >> You want to go back to your hotel? >> All right, let's see. >> So, Edwin, do me a favor. Step out this way for me just so we can get those handcuffs off. Okay. Yeah. Here, do me a favor. Turn around. Yep. I'm going to lift this up. All right. Do you have anything on you that's going to hurt sticker pocus band? >> No, sir. >> No. No. >> Okay. All right. Ah. I just wanted to know why you said you were going to lock me up when I got Are you distributing as me because I'm homeless and that's not real? That's how I felt. >> No, I'm telling you to sit down. All right. Because what you're doing is encroaching on my space and I don't need to fight. Okay. >> Inevitably, you could be arrested for obstructing because he's trying to conduct any investigation and you keep interrupting. I asked you to sit down and I asked you to stay quiet if he didn't want to be involved in the report and you kept talking and you kept interrupting. All right. I'm sorry. >> Okay. >> I don't want your email with us. Okay. You're under arrest for retail testing battery. >> Okay. >> I'm not a battery person on me. >> All right. >> I personally didn't know that. I did that. I I'm mentally ill. I'm mentally ill. I'm sorry. >> I can understand that people have certain disorders. Okay. I'm not faulting you for that. >> I really didn't know you I was getting involved. I have autism. >> Sir, let me talk. Okay. So, previously you said you know Edwin because you're both homeless. >> Yeah. >> Okay. The loss prevention people spoke to me. Okay. They got your statement. They don't want to pursue any charges against you. Okay. All right. But I am going to need a statement from you. Okay. Now, they said you didn't steal anything, which means you're not under arrest. I'm just detaining you. Okay. >> Why you going to arrest me? Hey, I'm not arresting you. I just told you that you're just being detained so I can speak to you. All right. My name is Patrick. What is your name? >> Just what's your first What's your first name? >> I don't want to give my name out. >> What's your first name? >> I don't want to give my name out. >> I can't look you up by your first name. Okay. >> I don't want to give my name out. >> What? You got a warrant or something? >> No, I just don't want people having my name. >> Trust me, it's not going on my report. Okay. It's just so I can call you by first name. I'm >> all right. So, you had no knowledge of what Edwin was doing, stealing things? >> I just met him a few days ago. >> Okay. All right. So, you just met him a few days ago and you're both hanging around together. >> Yeah. >> Okay. All right. So, you are free to leave. Okay. >> Thank you. >> Now, my recommendation, don't hang around people like uh like Edwin. Okay. All right. So, yeah, you can grab your things. I like I wasn't trying to get like involved with your investigation or anything. I didn't know that. I'm sorry. >> It's okay. All right. Police officers get a little jumpy when people start standing up and encroaching on their space. >> I just I I understand. >> Okay. I just want to let you listen. >> Edwin or uh not Edwin. You're okay. All right. You're okay. All right. >> You are free to leave. >> Please scare me. Police scare a lot of mentally ill people because police kill mentally ill people. >> They do. >> Well, I can tell you right now I don't do that. >> But you know a lot of them do. >> I don't know any officers that do that. >> They have because mental illness is criminalized in America. Unfortunately, it shouldn't be. It should be treated. >> Well, it it is not criminalized in Illinois. I can tell you that right now. >> A lot of places it is. >> Okay. All right. So, these are all your items right here. Okay. >> I'll just >> All right. So, yeah. My recommendation, don't hang out with him anymore. Okay. Figure out who you're associating with and stuff. >> Is that his phone? >> Okay. So, if this is his phone, this is going to come with us. All right. Nothing else is uh is his. >> Okay. Hey, I appreciate >> I just You see, I'm scared. >> I appreciate you talking to me. Okay. >> Yeah. >> All right. So, yeah, just grab your stuff. Um and then >> I'm going to go We're going to walk out. Okay. >> [ __ ] You should go have one with me. >> Hey, >> when you get off work. >> What are you What are you doing? >> I'm going to go have a beer after at a bar. >> I was going to say, well, just make sure it's not outside cuz public drinking. >> No, I know. I know. >> All right. >> Do you like your job? I was never >> Yeah. Grab your stuff cuz I got to walk you out. Okay. >> I'm not free to go already. >> You are free to go, but I'm going to make sure you go out the correct way and not get lost up here. Okay. >> And then uh give me stars. Yes. give stars to your life or something. I don't know. >> No, I was paid for. >> Yeah, does anybody want to give us money or something? >> If you want, you can return them. Get your money back. Can I return a lot of this stuff? Cuz I don't want actually cuz he's free to go. >> Um, can you pull up that video footage so I can watch it? >> Awesome. And then >> after clearing his friend, Edwin was taken into custody and charged with felony retail theft and aggravated battery.