COOK COUNTY CRIMINAL COURTHOUSE — Prosecutors said a man wreaked havoc outside River North's Public House Friday night when he threw barricades into the street, punched a police officer and left the cop with a broken hand as he resisted arrest.
Paul Leimkuehler, 25, of the 400 block of West North Avenue in Old Town, was charged with felony aggravated battery of a peace officer. He also faces two counts of resisting a peace officer and a disorderly conduct charge.
The mayhem started sometime before 11:40 p.m. Friday when Leimkuehler was escorted out of Public House at 400 N. State St., Assistant State's Attorney Jacqueline Kwilos said.
Leimkuehler picked up a post and rope barrier outside the bar and threw it into the street, Kwilos said. He then picked up another barrier and threw it onto the sidewalk, Kwilos said.
A uniformed Chicago police officer in a nearby squad car got out and walked toward Leimkuehler, Kwilos said.
Leimkuehler then ran toward the officer before stopping and turning his back to him, facing the witness, Kwilos said. When the officer asked what was going on, Leimkuehler spun around and punched the officer in the face, Kwilos said.
Leimkuehler struggled with the officer attempting to arrest him, and the officer's partner got out of the car to help, Kwilos said.
Leimkuehler continued to struggle with both officers by swinging his arms and flailing, according to Kwilos.
Officers eventually got Leimkuehler under control and arrested him, but the officer who was punched also suffered a broken right hand during the struggle, Kwilos said.
No managers at Public House were immediately available to comment.
According to a police arrest report, Leimkuehler is from Ohio and has attended Northwestern University.
Leimkuehler's attorney told Judge James Brown that his client has a master's degree.
"Based on the accusation, I wouldn't think he had a master's degree," said Brown, who set bail at $10,000.
