Publications & Sites 
Libertyville man accused of striking Metra conductor
Updated: November 5, 2012 11:34AM
A Libertyville man pleaded not guilty to aggravated battery charges Wednesday stemming from an incident in which he is alleged to have punched a Metra conductor in the face, according to Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney James Newman.
Matthew Padour, 30, was arrested by Metra police on April 5 at the Libertyville Metra station, according to court records.
Padour and a friend were coming back from a Cubs game via the Metra Milwaukee North Line that day, Newman said.
Padour’s friend lacked the money to pay his train fare, so he had arranged for a girlfriend to bring money to a train station. Padour and the friend jumped off the train in Libertyville, one stop before the one they had designated to get the money to pay for the fare, Newman said.
Padour only had enough money to cover his fare.
Padour and his friend got into a verbal altercation with a male Metra conductor who is 60 years old. The News-Sun is not releasing his name because he is the victim. Padour thought the conductor was disrespecting his friend. The conductor had allowed Padour’s friend to ride for free.
Without provocation, Padour punched the conductor in the face, causing the conductor’s hat and glasses to fall off, Newman said. The conductor sustained injuries related to the punch, Newman said.
Padour and his friend smelled of alcohol at the time of the incident, Newman said.
Padour was charged with four counts of aggravated battery for the incident. The charges are aggravated because it happened in a public place, because it caused bodily harm and because the victim was a Metra conductor, Newman said.
If convicted, Padour, who is out on bail, faces two to five years in prison or probation. He is due back in court Nov. 15. A trial date of Jan. 22 was set at his arraignment.
