La Grange Man Knocks Off Man's Hat, Then Hits Him: Cops

La Grange IL

18 May, 2021

11:38 AM

Description

LA GRANGE, IL — A man walking his dog earlier this month in downtown La Grange encountered another man, flicked off his hat and punched the man at least once in the head, police said. Both men have had repeated contacts with the police, according to a police report obtained through a public records request. Renzo N. Novelle, 24, of La Grange, was charged with battery. Novelle told police that he was walking about 9 p.m. May 2 in the 100 block of West Burlington Avenue when he saw the other man, a 30-year-old. Novelle said he turned around, but the other man followed him. So Novelle said he then pushed the other man, police said. Novelle requested the incident be documented. In an interview, the other man said it was Novelle who turned around, called him names, knocked off his hat and punched him in the head. No injuries were observed, police said. The man told police the punch was "not very hard." Witnesses appeared to tip the case in favor of the other man. The witnesses said they saw Novelle knock off the other man's hat. One said she saw Novelle strike the man in the head more than once, police said. Police were unable to get surveillance footage from nearby businesses. After his arrest, Novelle told police that he never punched the other man and only flicked the man's hat off his head, according to the police report. Novelle was released on bond.