Alderman Suggests Changes After Montrose Beach Melee

Two men charged with striking Chicago Police officers with bottles

Ald. James Cappleman believes something needs to be done to prevent the drunken melee at Montrose Beach that injured at least two police officers.

Police say four suburban men and a teen from Chicago were arrested Sunday during a disturbance at the beach at about 7:40 p.m. in the 4400 block of North Simmonds Drive.

"The police came and told them they needed to stop, they got mad, they were drunk, they got mad and started throwing bottles at the police," witness Edna Velazquez said.

Efrain Saucedo, 23, and Emmanuel Lopez, 19, both of Aurora were each charged with one felony count of aggravated battery to a police officer for allegedly striking the officers with bottles.

A 19-year-old man from Summit and 22-year-old man from Aurora were charged with misdemeanor aggravated assault to a police officer and misdemeanor mob action, police said. Their names were not immediately released.

Cappleman, whose 46th Ward encompasses Montrose Beach, was not only disturbed by the melee, but also recent incidents at the beach, including the shooting of two women following the Pride Parade. He says he wants to talk to the Park District about parking at Montrose, which allows large crowds to gather more easily than any other lakefront beach.

"It could be to lessen the amount of parking, or is there something else we can do to control that," Cappleman said.

Saucedo and Lopez were seen throwing bottles that struck two officers responding to the disturbance, police said. The officers sustained minor injuries.

A 17-year-old male from Chicago also was arrested and charged as a juvenile with misdemeanor mob action and felony criminal damage to property, police said.

Nine people were taken into custody early Monday, and charges are still pending for four others, police said.

"This escalated," area resident Tom Camacho said. "I mean I've never seen anything this big."

The large crowd had gathered in the area for an unofficial concert.

Flyers sent around social media showed the "Tamborazo Beach Party" was set to be held at the beach Sunday. Park district officials said there were no permits issued for the event.

"The Chicago Park District did not issue a permit for the event that apparently took place at Montrose beach on Sunday evening," the park district said in a statement. "The illegal event was shut down by Chicago Police."

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