Police officer hospitalized after attack at Riverwalk Homes: cops

A Joliet patrol officer was hospitalized after two men savagely attacked him Sunday night at the Riverwalk Homes, police said.

Officers were responding to a 911 hangup call made from the North Broadway Street housing development shortly after 6:30 p.m. when one of them “came into contact” with James Webb, 39, in a hallway, police said.

Webb lives at the Riverwalk Homes, according to Will County jail records.

“Webb took an aggressive stance and began walking towards the Officer, ignoring numerous commands from the Officer to stop,” the Joliet Police Department said in a statement released Monday.

“Webb then physically assaulted the Officer, who then placed Webb into custody after a brief struggle,” police said.

While the officer was occupied with Webb, a second man, Antonio Tobar, 35, “attacked the Officer from behind and placed the Officer in a headlock, causing the Officer to briefly lose consciousness,” according to the police statement.

Tobar also is a Riverwalk Homes resident, jail records show.

“As the Officer continued to struggle with Tobar, Webb began stomping on the Officer’s head and spitting on him while the Officer was on the ground,” police said.

The officer shot Tobar with a Taser, police said, but he was not subdued.

“During the struggle, the Officer was able to request emergency assistance, according to police. “A Riverwalk Homes security guard intervened in the struggle, ending the attack upon the Officer.”

More officers then arrived and Tobar was taken into custody, police said.

The officer “suffered numerous injuries” and was taken to AMITA Saint Joseph Medical Center, according to police.

Both Webb and Tobar were transported to the county jail and remain in custody.

Webb was booked on probable cause of mob action, resisting a police officer, aggravated assault and aggravated battery, jail records show.

Tobar was booked on probable cause of aggravated battery, mob action and obstructing identification, according to jail records.

Both men were scheduled to appear in court Monday afternoon.