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Man accused of choking Niles cop at soccer club
Richard Dohotariu
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Updated: March 19, 2013 3:54PM
NILES — A Chicago man is accused of trying to choke a Niles police officer after authorities were called to a sports center for a disturbance complaint.
Police said Richard Dohotariu, 19, of 4636 W. Peterson Ave. attempted to choke the officer as he was trying to take Dohotariu into custody on the night of March 15 at a Niles soccer club.
Witnesses reportedly helped the officer gain control of Dohotariu, but the officer suffered an injury to his shoulder was hospitalized, police said.
Officers were dispatched to Trevian FC Soccer Park, 6368 W Howard St., at 11:25 p.m. after receiving a call about three men who were allegedly causing a disturbance. According to police, a parent reported that the men became verbally abusive after they were asked not to kick soccer balls near some children.
When police arrived, the men allegedly became verbally abusive toward the officers and resisted attempts to take them into custody. Police said all three appeared to be intoxicated.
Dohotariu was charged with felony aggravated battery to a police officer, felony resisting a police officer and consumption of alcohol by a minor. Michael Bricci, 18, of 6529 N. Mozart Ave., Chicago, was charged with resisting a police officer, obstructing an officer, consumption of alcohol by a minor and felony criminal damage to property after he allegedly damaged a door in the police lock-up area.
Also arrested was Andrei Giurgiu, 21, of 345 Park Ave., Glencoe, who was charged with resisting a police officer, obstruction and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to police.
