Men Charged with Disorderly Conduct on Their Way to the Cubs Game

Jonathan D. Hardy, 25, of Woodridge and Alexander W.  Schutz, 25, of Darien were charged with disorderly conduct June 19 after allegedly yelling racial slurs at a group of children and harassing a homeless man at the Main Street depot, 1000 Burlington Ave., where they were awaiting a train to the Cubs game.

A citizen called Downers Grove police at at about 2:30 p.m. to report that Schutz told the homeless man, who was lying on a bench, to get out of his town. Schutz continued to yell about paying taxes and people living off the system, then spit in the man’s face, police said. Hardy allegedly began punching the man in the face and upper body, according to the report.

Hardy and Schutz were on the train platform when police arrived. Police reported the two were swaying and slurring their words and appeared to be "highly intoxicated." When told of the disorderly conduct charge, Hardy responded, “this is bull----.”

The men were handcuffed and a search revealed a small plastic bag containing 2.5 grams of cannabis in Hardy’s shorts pocket and a pipe in Schutz’s pocket, according to police.

Hardy resisted being placed in the squad car by tightening his body and yelling to others at the scene that the officer was not able to put him in the car. The officer, noting that many families were in the area, stepped back, ordered Hardy in the car again and Hardy complied, police said.

Once in the booking room, Hardy and Schutz appeared calm but as handcuffs were being removed, Hardy pulled away and became uncooperative. He was subdued on the floor and re-handcuffed. Schutz was secured to a bench in the room while officers escorted Hardy to another room. Hardy began to pull away from officers again, yelled obscenities, refused to listen and was eventually placed in a cell, according to the report.

Police said the men were charged with disorderly conduct once Hardy calmed down. Hardy also was charged with resisting/obstructing an officer, possession of cannabis and possession of drug paraphernalia. Hardy and Schutz posted bond and were released.

Further police action is pending against Hardy after he was observed littering as he left the police station. Police said he threw his arrest forms out of the back window of a car.

Patch reports on law enforcement activity in our town, using information provided by official agencies. Persons charged with a crime or issued a citation for violation of a local ordinance are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. If you or a family member are charged with a crime or cited for a violation and the charge or citation is subsequently adjudicated, we encourage you to notify the editor of this Patch at elaine@Patch.com so we can follow up on the case.