Police: St. Charles man sent threatening texts

A South Elgin entrepreneur is accused of texting disturbing messages to an acquaintance, and at least one that threatened the other man's life.

Scott D. Kotalik, 29, of the 6N200 block of Burr Road, St. Charles, owns Blu Razz, an upscale bar in South Elgin.

South Elgin Sgt. Mike Doty said Kotalik got into a dispute with another man over a towing bill that he believed the man would cover.

After Kotalik realized the person wouldn't pay his towing bill, Kotalik sent the man 22 text messages on Thursday, some that threatened the man's life and others that suggested great bodily harm, police said.

The man contacted police, who arrested Kotalik.

Kane County Judge Bruce W. Lester read some of the messages during Kotalik's bond hearing.

According to the proceedings, Kotalik texted "I will lay you out and cut out your heart," and "Yes this is war. I will kill you before you kill me."

"I just let my anger get ahead of me," Kotalik told the judge, adding that the man has made disparaging remarks about his deceased mother. "It looks terrible, but I'm not that type of person."

Kotalik was charged with felony harassment by electronic communications and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia - police discovered he had a marijuana pipe.

Lester set Kotalik's bail at $1,000, which means he needs $100 to secure his release while the case is pending.

As an expressed condition of his bond, Lester ordered Kotalik not to have any contact with the other man and to stay out of trouble.

"Sir, I don't want to see any spit on the sidewalk," Lester said. "Got it?"

Kotalik is due in court Aug. 4 at the Kane County Judicial Center.

Harassment by electronic communications is a Class 4 felony that, upon a guilty finding, is punishable by up to three years in prison.