La Grange Man Hurls Racial Slurs, Attacks Workers: Cops

La Grange IL

02 September, 2021

7:57 AM

Description

LA GRANGE, IL — A La Grange man apparently waited for a local restaurant's employees to leave for the night, then attacked them while uttering racial slurs, police said. Jacob Hochgraver, 30, was charged with four counts of battery and three counts of assault. Patch obtained the full police report on the incident. It took place shortly after midnight Aug. 6 at The Elm restaurant, 23 W. Harris Ave. When a group of employees were leaving for the night, a supervisor saw Hochgraver approach, seemingly ready to fight, according to the report. The workers recognized him from previous incidents. The supervisor asked his employees to "leave now," so they could avoid Hochgraver. They tried, but Hochgraver kept walking toward them and saying he was "gonna beat your a--," police said. Hochgraver, who lives in the 10 block of West Burlington Avenue, threw a carton of cigarettes at one employee. Then one of them pushed Hochgraver away, causing him to fall, according to the report. Hochgraver stood up and punched one of the employees in the face, police said. During the encounter, Hochgraver, who is white, hurled anti-Hispanic slurs such as "wetbacks" and told one of the employees, "F--- you. I'm gonna hit you like I hit your mother last night," according to the report. At one point, Hochgraver lost his balance and fell to the ground, where the employees held him until police arrived. Witnesses said it appeared as if Hochgraver was waiting by The Elm's outdoor dining area for the employees to leave. At the police station, Hochgraver insulted officers and repeatedly asked them to review security footage, police said. He was released on bond. In May, Hochgraver was charged with disorderly conduct in an incident in downtown La Grange when he got into a fight and removed his pants, according to a police report.