Cops say vodka-fueled teen attacked mom's boyfriend
A teenager was fueled from drinking two bottles of vodka when he used a baseball bat to attack his mother's boyfriend, Cook County sheriff's police announced Sunday.
Paul Rukawiczkin, 19, of the 8900 block of Knight Street in unincorporated Cook County near Des Plaines, was charged with aggravated domestic battery in connection with last week's incident. Rukawiczkin was freed after posting 10 percent of a $25,000 bond that was set at a hearing Saturday in the Skokie branch of Cook County Circuit Court.
In a statement, Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart said Rukawiczkin returned to his mother's apartment about 10:15 p.m. Wednesday after consuming the two fifth bottles of vodka. Police said the victim was present when Rukawiczkin came home.
Police said after an argument erupted, Rukawiczkin went to his bedroom to grab a wooden baseball bat.
Rukawiczkin's initial blows with the bat were blocked with man's forearms, according to police. Rukawiczkin kept after the victim, hitting him in his upper torso and head.
Police said the victim was treated for injuries at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge. Sheriff's spokesman Steve Patterson declined to provide the man's age, saying it's policy to not release identifying information on domestic violence victims.
Sheriff's deputies seized Rukawiczkin when he was found walking near Ballard Road and Knight Avenue late Wednesday.
However, police said Rukawiczkin's alcohol impairment prevented investigators from questioning him until Thursday afternoon. Authorities said Rukawiczkin admitted he attacked the victim after a day of drinking.
Patterson, in an e-mail, said there was no information available related to the suspect's alcohol consumption, such as where it occurred and how he got home. He said the argument between Rukawiczkin was triggered by domestic issues.
"But a 19-year-old who has consumed two bottles of liquor isn't in the frame of mind to have a sensible argument about anything," Patterson said.