A 29-year-old Mt. Vernon man is facing multiple felony charges after allegedly damaging the tires of 10 police vehicles, biting a police officer and resisting arrest Tuesday afternoon.
According to court records, Daniel Artis of Mt. Vernon faces 14 felony counts, including 10 Class 4 felony counts of criminal damage to government-supported property, one Class 2 felony count of aggravated battery to a peace officer, one Class X felony count of armed violence and two Class 3 felony counts of aggravated battery to a nurse.
The incident occurred at approximately 1:46 p.m. Tuesday, November 3, in the parking lot of the Rolland Lewis Community Building at Veterans Park in Mt. Vernon.
Mt. Vernon Police Chief Robert Brands said several police department vehicles were parked at the location because of overflow parking while a class was being conducted at the nearby police station.
Police received a report that a man, later identified as Artis, was damaging tires on the parked squad cars.
When an officer arrived to investigate, Artis allegedly flattened two tires on the responding officer’s patrol vehicle as the officer was getting out.
Authorities say Artis was armed with a knife and fled from the officer.
Court records indicate Artis is also accused of aggravated battery involving a police officer and two counts of aggravated battery involving a nurse.
Additional details surrounding his apprehension and the alleged battery incidents were not included in the available report.