Florida man charged with spitting on Joliet cop, trespassing at Anthony’s Restaurant and Pub

A Florida man has been charged with trespassing at Anthony’s Restaurant and Pub in Joliet and spitting on the face of a police officer.

At 4:21 a.m. on Monday, Daniel Hilts, 32, of Punta Gorda, Florida, was booked into the Will County jail and charged with aggravated battery to an officer and criminal trespass to real property.

At 1:51 a.m. on Monday, officers were at Anthony’s Restaurant and Pub, 3151 Voyager Lane, working a special assignment job, according to a statement from Joliet police spokesman Olin Torkelson.

Security staff had removed Hilts from the building because of his intoxication level, Torkelson said.

Officers saw Hilts enter his vehicle and advised him he could not drive because of his intoxication level, suggesting he either walk or summon a ride-share service, he said.

Hilts refused all transportation offers by officers and staff and refused to leave the property, Torkelson said.

“While informing Hilts he needs to leave the property, Hilts made several lunges towards officers on scene, at which point Hilts was told he was under arrest,” Torkelson said.

Hilts refused to comply with the handcuffing and was placed under arrest following a brief struggle, he said.

While at the police department, Hilts refused to cooperate with booking procedures and repeatedly spat on an officer’s face, Torkelson said.

A criminal complaint filed in court alleged that Hilts spat on a face of a police officer and he remained at Anthony’s Pub and Restaurant after he was given notice to depart from that location.

Hilts appeared for a court hearing on the same day as his arrest.

Judge Fred Harvey found probable cause to continue Hilts’ detention at the jail and set his bond at $25,000.