WICKER PARK — A 22-year-old man who authorities say was seen drinking in public by beat cops led the officers on a dramatic foot chase that ended on the takeout patio at Wicker Park's Big Star restaurant.
Richard Perez was arrested around 10:06 p.m. Tuesday in the 1500 block of North Damen Avenue, according to Officer Laura Amezaga, a Chicago Police spokeswoman.
Witnesses who were at Big Star's patio at the time said they watched a man who was being chased by police try to flee through the back of the patio into the alley. However, a locked fence there blocked his escape and he was cornered, they said.
"They carried him away," a witness said. "He was screaming. Police were being very respectful [of him]."
Perez, 22, of the 2000 block of North Lorel Avenue in Austin, is charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, drinking on the public way and resisting arrest.
Cook County Judge Donald Panarese Jr. during a brief bond hearing Wednesday said Perez could be released on his own recognizance.
Amezaga said the incident started when officers "observed [Perez] drinking alcohol on the public way."
"As they attempted to issue the offender a citation he fled on foot," Amezaga said. "During the foot pursuit, officers observed the offender throw a small object to the ground. Offender was caught but resisted arrest, he was placed into custody and charged accordingly."
Amezaga was unable to say where Perez had been drinking or identify the object thrown to the ground during the chase.
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