Quinceañera party in Joliet punctuated by violence: cops

A man was repeatedly punched another man and knocked his wife to the ground during a quinceañera celebration on the far northwest side of Joliet, police said.

Shortly after 12:30 a.m. Saturday, officers responded to the 3700 block of Thoroughbred Lane for a report of a disturbance, said Joliet police Sgt. Dwayne English.

Officers arrived and determined an intoxicated Julio Rodriguez, 24, of Dallas repeatedly punched a man in the face during a quinceañera party, English said.

The man’s wife attempted to intervene and Rodriguez “punched her in the face as well and she was knocked to the ground,” English said.

Both alleged victims were taken to AMITA Health Saint Joseph Medical Center in Joliet, English said.

Officers attempted to contact Rodriguez, who was in an upstairs bedroom with other people, English said.

When officers attempted to enter the bedroom, Ivan Cruz, 28, of Naperville stood in front of the door and refused the officers’ entry “despite numerous orders to move to the side by officers,” English said.

“Officers were able to gain access past Cruz and enter the bedroom,” English said.

Officers saw Rodriguez sitting on a bed, English said. Maria Ovalle, 46, of Dallas, Texas, had her arms wrapped around him, he said.

“Officers gave commands for both to stand up and for Rodriguez to submit to arrest at which time both refused numerous commands,” English said.

Cruz attempted to block officers from arresting Rodriguez and he was taken into custody, English said.

Ovalle punched an officer in the chest and then kicked that officer and another officer while she was seated on the bed, English said.

Officers attempted to gain control of Rodriguez but he repeatedly pulled his hands away, English said.

“Officers then deployed a Taser upon Rodriguez and he was taken into custody without further incident,” English said.

Ovalle was also arrested after a brief struggle, English said.

Cruz was arrested on probable cause of resisting a police officer and released on his own recognizance, English said.

Rodriguez was arrested on probable cause of aggravated battery, domestic battery, battery and resisting an officer, English said. Ovalle was arrested on probable cause of aggravated battery to a police officer and resisting an officer, he said.

Rodriguez and Ovalle were taken to the Will County jail and released after posting bond Saturday.