An Oak Forest police officer and two family members were arraigned Wednesday in a California court on charges stemming from the February stabbing of a teenage boy.
Arthur Roman, 28, of Tinley Park, is charged with one felony count of assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury and one misdemeanor count of battery, according to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office. His brother, Martin Roman, 26, and Martin’s wife, Jessica Roman, 28, both of Lake Forest, Calif., face the same charges from the same incident.
Arthur Roman remains on paid leave from the Oak Forest Police Department since after his arrest, Oak Forest police said.
All three family members are accused of getting into an argument with a 17-year-old boy and his 31-year-old friend in Huntington Beach, Calif., that escalated into a physical fight.
Arthur Roman is free on $100,000 bail, according to the District Attorney’s Office. The other two were released after a judge set their bail at $25,000 each.
Prosecutors said the teenager and his friend were walking at about 4:15 p.m. on Feb. 28 when they passed the defendants sitting in a car. Arthur Roman, who was in the front passenger seat, allegedly yelled at the victims before he and Martin Roman, who was in the driver’s seat, then left the car, according to reports.
Arthur Roman is accused of pushing the teenager, who tried to tackle his attacker, according to prosecutors. Jessica Roman allegedly pushed the teen to the ground and kicked his head, officials said.
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Martin Roman is accused of pushing and wrapping his arm around the neck of the older man, according to prosecutors. When the victim fought back, Martin Roman drew a knife and ran over to stab the teen repeatedly in the buttocks when the older victim backed down, reports said.
All three defendants then ran away before being captured by Huntington Beach police a short time later in a nearby alley, prosecutors said.
If convicted, Arthur and Jessica Roman each face a maximum of four years in state prison, prosecutors said. Martin Roman is also charged with a sentencing enhancement for the use of a deadly weapon, prosecutors said. He faces a maximum of five years in prison if convicted.
They are due back in a California court on June 24.
Nick Swedberg is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.