Three women were charged with aggravated battery of a police officer and other charges following an altercation earlier this week at a Kewanee service station.
Late Wednesday morning, Kewanee police officers were dispatched to the Cenex station for a civil dispute, according to a news release issued Friday by Police Chief Stephen Kijanowski.
Officers learned that a customer, later identified as Nakeita Simpson, 33, of Elgin, was arguing with store staff over the price of a pizza, which she believed was one dollar higher than it should have been.
An officer attempted to resolve the matter by offering to pay the one-dollar difference, but the dispute continued, the news release said.
The release said that while officers were explaining that the matter was civil in nature, two women identified as Kianna Simpson, 27, and Diamond Lockhart, 18, both from Kewanee, joined the argument.
The store clerk requested that the involved individuals be trespassed from the property. The news release said that while officers directed them to leave, Nakeita Simpson damaged a merchandise display near the entrance by pulling it down, breaking several items.
“When officers attempted to place Nakeita Simpson under arrest, all three individuals obstructed the police officers and became physically combative,” the news release said. “Officers were pushed, struck and had equipment damaged during the altercation.
“Despite repeated commands, the individuals continued resisting efforts to detain them.” the release said.
All three subjects were taken into custody and taken to the Henry County Jail. On Friday the Henry County State’s Attorney’s Office filed formal charges.
– Nakeita M. Simpson was charged with aggravated battery to a police officer (Class 2 felony), obstructing a peace officer (Class A misdemeanor), resisting a peace officer (Class A misdemeanor), and criminal damage to property under $500 (Class A mdisdemeanor).
– Kianna G. Simpson was charged with aggravated battery to a police officer (Class 2 felony), obstructing a peace officer (Class A misdemeanor) and resisting a peace officer (Class A misdemeanor).
– Diamond A. Lockhart was charged with two counts of aggravated battery to a police officer (Class 2 felony), obstructing a peace officer (Class A misdemeanor) and resisting a peace officer (Class A misdemeanor).
All three were released on pretrial release and are scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing on Sept. 22, at 1 p.m. in the Henry County Courthouse.
(All three individuals are presumed innocent.)
