Holly MatkinJoliet, IL – A violent suspect accused of trying to murder a Joliet police officer late last year was found fit to stand trial after a Will County judge ordered him to undergo a psychological evaluation..
Court records showed that Will County Chief Judge Dan Kennedy ordered the evaluation on Jan. 31, according to the Herald-News.
The suspect, 35-year-old Antonio Tobar, was determined to be fit for trial on Feb. 2.
The incident leading to his arrest began shortly after 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 7, 2021, when Joliet police were dispatched to the Riverwalk Homes housing development on North Broadway Street due to a 911 hang-up call, the Herald-News reported.
When they arrived at the scene, they encountered 40-year-old James Webb in a hallway, according to police.
“Webb took an aggressive stance and began walking towards the Officer, ignoring numerous commands from the Officer to stop,” the Joliet Police Department (JPD) said in a press release shortly after the incident.
“Webb then physically assaulted the Officer, who then placed Webb into custody after a brief struggle,” police said.
As the officer was working to subdue Webb, Tobar jumped in and “attacked the officer from behind,” according to the JPD.
Police said Tobar then “placed the Officer in a headlock,” causing him to “briefly lose consciousness,” according to the Herald-News.
The officer was able to stay in the fight and was struggling with Tobar on the ground when Webb allegedly began “stomping on the Officer’s head and spitting on him,” the JPD said.
The officer radioed for help and deployed his Taser at Tobar, who was unfazed by the jolt, the Herald-News reported.
A Riverwalk Homes security guard ran to the officer’s aid and was able to end the attack, according to police.
Additional officers then arrived at the scene and took Tobar into custody, the Herald-News reported.
The officer that Webb and Tobar attacked was rushed to AMITA Saint Joseph Medical Center with “numerous injuries,” according to police.
He survived the brutal assault and has since been released from the hospital, the Joliet Patch reported.
Tobar has been charged with two counts of aggravated battery and one count of attempted murder.
Webb has been charged with aggravated assault and two counts of aggravated battery to a peace officer.
The judge set their bonds at $1 million each, the Herald-News reported.
