Joliet man found fit to stand trial in attempted cop killer case

A man charged with attempting to kill a Joliet police officer has been found fit to stand trial.

Antonio Tobar, 35, of Joliet was found fit for trial Feb. 2 after Will County Chief Judge Dan Kennedy ordered a psychological evaluation Jan. 31, court records show.

Tobar and his co-defendant, James Webb, 40, of Joliet were arrested in connection with the Nov. 7 attack on a police officer at Riverwalk Homes on North Broadway Street, Joliet police officials said.

Both men live at Riverwalk Homes, police said.

Officers had responded to a 911 hangup call at the apartment complex and one of them came in contact with Webb in the hallway, police said.

The officer was physically assaulted by Webb, who struggled during his arrest, until the officer was attacked from behind by Tobar, police said. Tobar placed the officer in a headlock that led to him losing consciousness, police said.

“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 deployed a Taser on Tobar but he was not subdued, police said. A Riverwalk Homes security guard intervened and ended the attack on the officer.

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

Prosecutors charged Tobar with the attempted murder of the officer by placing him in a chokehold. Tobar also was charged with punching the officer in the head.

Webb was formally charged with stomping on the officer’s head and spitting on him.

Tobar was jailed on a $1 million bond while Webb was given a $500,000 bond. Judge Dave Carlson increased Webb’s bond Nov. 29 to $1 million after viewing a video of the attack that was presented in court by prosecutors during Webb’s bond hearing.