Joliet man in Dollar General battery case receives private attorney

A Joliet man charged with striking a boy and threatening the child’s mother at a Dollar General store is now being represented by a private attorney.

Wayne L. Orkwiszewski, 57, was initially represented by Will County Assistant Public Defender Eric Berg after he was booked into the Will County jail on charges of felony aggravated battery to a child and aggravated battery, and misdemeanor aggravated assault.

On Tuesday, attorney Chuck Bretz filed his appearance to represent Orkwiszewski in the case, according to court records. Bretz was unavailable for comment Thursday.

Orkwiszewski was arrested in March after he yelled a racial slur at Ayisha Powell and struck her 9-year-old son at the Dollar General store on West Jefferson Street, according to video of the incident provided to The Herald-News.

The altercation began when Orkwiszewski became upset over a handicapped parking spot at the Dollar General store on West Jefferson Street.

Orkwiszewski has been in jail since April 5.

He sought to have his $250,000 bond reduced but Will County Judge Dan Rippy denied his request.

The Will County Public Defender’s Office filed subpoenas to the Will County Community Health Center and the Will County Health Department for medical records on Orkwiszewski, according to court records.

Another subpoena also was filed by the office for surveillance video from the Dollar General store.