Cops Called to Break Up Fight at Liquor Store

A police officer working solo responded to a report of a fight in progress between several males at Kenwood Liquor Store at 10750 S. Cicero Ave. in Oak Lawn.

Upon the police officer’s arrival around 10 p.m. July 8, the officer saw a man, Xavier Stewart, 22, standing inside the store’s doorway along with the store security guards.

The security guard told police that Stewart entered the store with three or four other men and attempted to buy alcohol. When told of the store’s policy not to sell alcohol to adults over 21 in the presence of minors, the security guard said that Stewart became belligerent and started swearing at the guards.

Stewart got in the security guard’s face and was ordered to leave the store, and security guards then blocked the entrance to the store, prohibiting Stewart from re-entering, according to the report. Stewart also “chest bumped” one of the security guards, the report said.

As Stewart continued shouting, spit flew out of his mouth and landed on a security guard’s shoulder, the report said. Both security guards wished to file a battery complaint.

Listening to the security guards’ story, Stewart denied touching anyone and became irate, police said.

The police officer said that as he waited for backup, Stewart put up a fight by refusing to turn around and allowing himself to be handcuffed. Stewart kept asking why he was being arrested and swore at the police officer, who said Stewart disobeyed more than 10 requests to turn around and face the wall.

At one point, the police officer activated his Taser gun and prepared to taze Stewart.

Finally, Stewart put his hands behind his back and allowed one cuff to be put on but kept pulling his other hand away, the report said.

Stewart also lunged at one of the security guards and started swearing, until the police officer was able to drop Stewart to the ground, police said. When the police officer’s backup arrived, Stewart calmed down and was taken to the Oak Lawn police station.

Police interviewed a witness who told them that the store’s security guards blocked Stewart’s path and were threatening to pepper spray him if he didn’t leave the store. The witness also told police that store security guards appeared to be causing the problem.

Stewart was charged with battery and resisting arrest. He is to appear in court on Sept. 2.