DeKalb man charged after tow truck tires slashed

DeKALB – A DeKalb man is facing charges after police said he approached several tow truck drivers with knives in his hands and allegedly slashed all four tires of a tow truck during an incident earlier this month.

John D. Neil, 33, of the 800 block of Ridge Drive, DeKalb was arrested and charged with criminal damage to property, a Class 4 felony, and aggravated assault, a Class A misdemeanor. If convicted of the felony charge, Neil could face up to three years in prison.

According to DeKalb County court documents, DeKalb police were called at about 9:30 p.m. Jan. 14 to the 800 block of Ridge Drive for reports of an incident involving weapons. Two tow truck drivers told police Neil allegedly came out to the parking lot with kitchen knives in his hands several times and followed them after the drivers attempted to tow Neil’s vehicle in the parking lot.

“The victims then stated that the offender approached them several times with the kitchen knives in his hands, placing [the drivers] in reasonable apprehension of receiving a battery, and ran back inside the apartment complex,” court documents state. “They then got back into the towing truck and the offender came back out and slashed all four tires while they were sitting inside the vehicle.”

According to court documents, the tires reportedly are valued at an estimated $5,400.

DeKalb County Assistant State’s Attorney Neil Michling said in open court Monday that the state’s attorney’s office has filed a motion to raise and change bond for Neil related to this case.

Twenty-third Circuit Court Judge Marcy Buick left bond for Neil at $10,000, at the initial request of the state’s attorney’s office. Neil would need to post 10% of that, or $1,000, to get out of jail. Buick also ordered Neil to have no contact with the two tow truck drivers or to go to the towing business address in the 800 block of Ridge Drive.

Neil then asked Buick in open court for a recognizance bond, meaning he could be released from jail just on his signature.

“The answer is no,” Buick said.

Neil is due back in court at 10 a.m. Feb. 1.