3 suburban teens charged in beating of ISU officer

Three Northwest suburban teens face criminal charges in the beating of a police officer on the campus of Illinois State University.

Charles Kiel, 19, of Richmond Court in Schaumburg; Austin Reyes, 18, of Manor Circle in Schaumburg; and Nicholas Pahl, 18, of Fairway Court in Hoffman Estates will appear Feb. 15 in a McLean County courtroom.

Each will face charges of aggravated battery, resisting an officer and consumption of alcohol by a minor. In addition, Kiel was charged with possession of cannabis.

All have been released on bond, according to Normal police.

The three men were arrested shortly after midnight Jan. 26 in the 700 block of Franklin Avenue in Normal, in an area of the campus that borders on a historic section.

"It would be described as a campus area of town with sororities and fraternities and apartment buildings, mostly occupied by students," said Normal police Sgt. Paul Smith. "It appears that these gentlemen were down here partying at the college. It doesn't appear they go here."

Smith said the victim was an officer in plain clothes responding to a fight involving eight to 10 men. After the fight broke up, the three teens attempted to run away from the scene.

Smith said the victim pursued the teens, showing his badge and identifying himself as a police officer.

"That's when it appears all three, at different points, battered the officer," Smith said.

Other officers came to his aid, one of them displaying a Taser, which brought the fight to an end, Smith said.