Man arrested for 4th time in connection with DUI in DeKalb

SYCAMORE – A 23-year-old Chicago man arrested for a fourth time on driving under the influence charges was released on his own recognizance Wednesday from DeKalb County Jail.

Police said in court records that they received reports that Armando Bautista, of the 5700 Block of North Rockwell Street, hit the curb of the driveway to Thirsty Liquors, 1039 W. Hillcrest Drive, with his GMC Yukon and then was seen swerving on West Taylor Street before returning to the liquor store.

Police found Bautista in the driver’s seat in the liquor store’s parking lot.

According to court records, he smelled strongly of alcohol, his eyes were bloodshot, and his speech was slurred. The record shows he refused to get out of the vehicle, and he continued to resist while he was physically removed.

The state asked that his bond be set at $50,000 because of three pending DUI cases against him in Cook County, and because a condition of his bond in one of those cases is court supervision.

Public Defender Tom McCulloch asked that Bautista be released on his signature “so he can deal with both counties.”

“There are pending charges, as well, in Cook County, but no convictions that were ever entered for driving under the influence – the others are pending cases,” Chief Judge Robbin Stuckert said while reviewing the pretrial services bond report. “He’s had no prior failure to appear warrants or bond forfeiture.”

Bautista is due in DeKalb County court for a status hearing June 22.