Rosemont police chief accused of excessive force

A couple is suing Rosemont Police Chief Donald E. Stephens III, the late mayor's namesake grandson, and two other officers, charging they used excessive force, including shooting a stun gun at the man's pregnant girlfriend.

Jose Blancas and Maria Martinez in a federal civil rights lawsuit said the officers falsely arrested and imprisoned them Aug. 6, 2006, after an incident at the Rosemont apartment they shared at the time.

Stephens, who was appointed as police chief by his late grandfather in July 2006, and two other officers barged into the couple's former apartment in the 10400 block of Carol Court, the couple's attorney Neil Toppel said.

Rosemont attorney Peter Rosenthal said Thursday the village hadn't yet seen the suit and couldn't comment.

Toppel said police used a Taser gun against Blancas in the hall, although the suit doesn't specify how the stun gun was used, while Martinez cleaned the kitchen.

The officers also are accused of pushing Martinez against a wall in the laundry area and using a stun gun against her.

"She's screaming, 'I'm pregnant. I'm pregnant,' and she's Tasered in the arm," Toppel said. "There was no call for this excessive use of force."

Her baby was born healthy, he added.

Blancas was charged with resisting arrest and public intoxication, while Martinez was charged with battery and resisting arrest. They were imprisoned, but the charges were later dropped, the lawsuit said. Subjecting the couple to criminal proceedings was done maliciously, according to their complaint.

The couple has since moved to Des Plaines. The suit seeks unspecified damages from the officers and the village.