A man who allegedly cut in line at a polling place and punched an election judge while screaming obscenities was arrested Sunday morning in southwest suburban Orland Park.
Daniel Schmidt, 24, was charged with aggravated battery, resisting arrest, and disorderly conduct and appeared in the Bridgeview Courthouse on the charges, police said.
Police were called to the Orland Park Township office, 14807 Ravinia Ave., about 11 a.m., where officers found Schmidt being “restrained by numerous people,” after he allegedly walked past voters waiting in line to enter the voting area, police said.
Schmidt refused after two election judges told him to go to the back of the line and when one of the judges prevented him from entering, Schmidt allegedly “pushed past” that judge and several other workers and began to yell profanities, police said.
After Schmidt allegedly punched an election judge in the face, knocking their glasses off, several patrons “jumped in” and held Schmidt until officers got there, police said.
While being placed under arrest, Schmidt, of Orland Park, also resisted Orland Park officers. He was held overnight and taken to the Bridgeview Courthouse for a detention hearing.
No injuries were reported.