Police: Teen Allegedly Picks Fight, Files False Battery Report

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Disorderly conduct—An 18-year-old Darien man turned himself in to the Tuesday and was charged with fighting and disorderly conduct after the 18-year-old allegedly picked a fight with a group of four teenage juveniles Saturday night and then made a false police report the next day saying he was the victim.

Deputy Chief Mark Wodka said several independent eyewitnesses saw a seemingly intoxicated man approach the four high-school-age juveniles playing basketball outside a home in the 600 block of South County Line Road at 11 p.m. Saturday, and attempted to pull one of the juvenile’s shirts over his head.

“A fight ensued from his initial contact,” Wodka said.

The man was struck in the face by one of the juveniles. He sought medical attention Saturday night for a facial injury and then filed a report with police on Sunday that said four intoxicated teens approached the man while he was outside his friend’s home, struck him in the face, and hit him while he was on the ground.

“We were able to establish that the information he reported to us did not corroborate with the physical evidence that was found,” Wodka said.

Police followed up with the witnesses to get more information and were told that the four juveniles, one of which is an acquaintance of the man's, did not appear to be under the influence of alcohol and were acting in self-defense. Wodka said there was no evidence that the man was hit while on the ground.

After he was charged, the man was released to appear in court.

Burglary to motor vehicle—An unknown suspect stole a backpack leaf blower from an unlocked landscaping trailer parked on the street in the 700 block of South Oak Street between 7 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. April 20.

The victim valued the blower at $500.

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