Man accused of punching Joliet liquor store employee

A homeless man was arrested after he punched an employee at Consumers Liquor in Joliet and tried to fight with officers who were trying to arrest him, police said.

About 7:45 p.m. Friday, officers responded to Consumers Liquor, 1607 W. Jefferson St., for a report of a man trying to fight a store employee, Joliet police Sgt. Dwayne English said.

Dennis Montgomery, 31, was identified by police as a homeless man who was the suspect in the incident.

When officers arrived, they determined that Montgomery tried to enter the store but was denied entry by an employee because Montgomery had caused past issues at the store, English said.

Montgomery ignored the employee, entered the store through a different door and punched the employee in the back of the head before leaving the store, English said.

Officers found Montgomery at a nearby Speedway gas station, 1621 W. Jefferson St., English said.

“Officers attempted to place Montgomery into custody, but he resisted their efforts by pulling away and taking a fighting stance toward officers,” English said.

Montgomery tried to walk away and threatened to punch the officers, English said. Those officers caught up to Montgomery and placed him into custody after a brief struggle, English said.

Montgomery then was released from custody and given notice to appear in court on probable cause of battery, aggravated assault and resisting a police officer.