Wauconda man charged after stabbing union’s inflatable rat

A Wauconda man is being held in lieu of $100,000 bail after stabbing then running over a large inflatable union rat in downtown Chicago, authorities said.

George Koukos, 43, was taken into custody this week on a felony count of criminal damage to property following his initial court date on lesser charges in connection with the same April 20 incident, said Officer Jose Estrada of the Chicago Police Department.

Koukos, a mover from the 600 block of Pamela Court, hauled a load to the 0 to 100 block of North Clark Street near the Loop, Estrada said.

Koukos became upset after union workers on strike inflated a large rat in front of his vehicle, blocking him in, Estrada said.

Koukos asked the picketers to move the rat, but received no response. Then Koukos pulled out a box cutter and stabbed the rat, deflating it, Estrada said.

After waving the box cutter at the picketers, Estrada said, Koukos got back in the truck and drove over the rat with the truck when leaving.

Koukos was arrested later and charged with misdemeanor counts of criminal damage to property and aggravated assault. However, when he appeared in court regarding the charges, Estrada said the misdemeanor criminal damage charge was upgraded to a felony and the judge ordered him held in lieu of $100,000 bond.

Koukos is due back in court on July 16, Estrada said.