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Logan Square Man Tells Kids He Knows MMA, Fires Warning Shot: Prosecutors

By  Erica Demarest and Mina Bloom | January 4, 2017 5:27pm 

 Richard Tobar, 39, is charged with battery and reckless discharge of a firearm.
Richard Tobar, 39, is charged with battery and reckless discharge of a firearm.
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Google Earth; Chicago Police Department

COOK COUNTY CRIMINAL COURTHOUSE — A Logan Square man fired a warning shot near the 606 trail Monday after two roughhousing teenagers bumped into his ground-level window, prosecutors said.

Richard Tobar, 39, walked outside and yelled, "Do you know who I am? I know MMA [mixed-martial arts]," according to Assistant State's Attorney Lorraine Scaduto, who spoke during a bond hearing Wednesday.

Tobar then pushed a 14-year-old boy to the ground while his 16-year-old friend looked on, prosecutors allege.

The boys ran off — only to return to Tobar's garden-level unit a short while later with an older brother and several friends, Scaduto said. Neighbors reported seeing seven to 10 teenage boys.

According to witnesses, the boys banged on Tobar's windows to get his attention. Prosecutors said the group knocked on Tobar's door.

Tobar briefly opened his door in the 1800 block of North Spaulding Avenue before slamming it shut, according to prosecutors. Moments later, he returned to the door with a loaded 9mm handgun and fired a single warning shot, Scaduto said.

RELATED: Man Fired Warning Shot At Teens Banging On His Windows, Neighbors Say

The group scattered, and police arrested Tobar about 1:55 p.m. Monday, court records show. He is now charged with battery and reckless discharge of a firearm.

"I know what you were facing ... but you are lucky no one was injured," Cook County Judge Maria Kuriakos Ciesil said Wednesday before setting bail at $20,000.

According to defense attorney Ed Austin, Tobar called 911 during the altercation. Austin said he believes the incident was caught on video, but no copies were available Wednesday.

"I'm glad he got arrested," one neighbor said Monday. "I hope this fight doesn't carry over and continue." The woman declined to give her name for safety reasons.

Tobar is married and works in construction for the city of Chicago, according to Austin. Tobar has a valid FOID card and no criminal history.

Police recovered a 9mm handgun loaded with 15 live rounds, court records show.

According to prosecutors, the 14- and 16-year-old boys were on their way to play basketball when they first bumped into Tobar's window about 1:35 p.m. Monday.

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