Cops: Crystal Lake man struck mother with bat

A 42-year-old Crystal Lake man is in custody after repeatedly striking his mother with a baseball bat Tuesday, police announced today.

Thomas J. Puchmelter of the 100 block of Sunnyside Avenue was charged with domestic battery and two counts of aggravated battery today, according to authorities.

Around 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Puchmelter’s 70-year-old mother heard loud noises coming from his bedroom. When she went to investigate, she noticed he was striking a bedroom wall with a baseball bat, according to police.

His mother then left the room, but Puchmelter followed her into the living room, police said.

Puchmelter then struck a bookcase near his mother several times before striking his mother on the hand with the bat while she was holding a cordless phone, police said. He then struck her leg near the knee, struck the left side of her neck and proceeded to hold the bat at her throat, police said.

The victim fled the residence and went straight to the Crystal Lake police station.

Puchmelter was riled up during the early morning hours on Tuesday before the attack and had asked his mother to take him to the hospital due to chest pains around 4 a.m., police said. While she was preparing to take him, Puchmelter verbally and physically confronted his mother. He grabbed her by the arms, causing her to fall, before he returned to his room, according to police.

Puchmelter’s mother had several minor injuries consistent with her account of the attack, police said, but she declined medical attention.

Puchmelter was uncooperative and combative with police when they showed up to arrest him Wednesday afternoon outside his home, officials said. He continued to be aggressive with police at the station and had to be restrained.

He is being held at the McHenry County jail awaiting a bond hearing.