advertisement

Homeless man jailed for throwing hot coffee in Starbucks' worker's face

A homeless McHenry County man is facing up to five years in prison on charges he threw a hot cup of coffee in the face of a Crystal Lake Starbucks worker, causing what court documents describe as "severe" burns to her face and neck.

Jonathan A. Pease, 28, is scheduled to appear in court Wednesday morning on two counts of aggravated battery, along with charges of criminal damage to property and assault, stemming from the incident Saturday in downtown Crystal Lake.

Police said Pease walked into the business about 7:05 a.m. Saturday, approached a clerk and demanded coffee and a roll.

"He was agitated and irrational in his behavior," Crystal Lake Deputy Police Chief Dennis Harris said.

After receiving a cup of coffee, Pease sat down in the business and continued to act as if he were agitated.

"A second clerk came over to calm him down and when she did, he threw the hot cup of coffee in her face, then stood up and began knocking items off a counter," Harris said.

A pair of off-duty police officers who happened to be in the Starbucks saw the incident, took Pease down to the ground and held him there until on-duty police arrived and placed him under arrest.

The clerk, Harris said, was transported by ambulance to Centegra Hospital-McHenry, where she was treated for first- and second-degree burns to her face and upper body.

Court records list Pease's residence as the address of a Woodstock homeless shelter. In an affidavit seeking a public defender, Pease describes himself as homeless and unemployed, and gives a Crystal Lake address as his most recent residence.

Earlier this year, court documents show, Pease was sentenced to six days in jail after pleading guilty to allegations he trespassed at the Crystal Lake Metra station. Last year, records indicate, he was convicted of disorderly conduct for exposing himself at a Walgreens store in Woodstock.

Pease remains in custody at the McHenry County jail on a $51,000 bond.

Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.