Dispute Over Water Bottle Leads to Gas Station Fight, Police Say

A disute over a bottle of water prompted four people to attack a 25-year-old man at a Romeoville gas station Tuesday, breaking his ankle and nose, Romeoville police said.

Marie T. Lane, 26, of the 200 block of Moran Street; Eric D. Williamson, 25, of the 300 block of First Avenue; Robert A. Martinez, 24, of the 400 block of Summit Street; and Samantha D. Miller, 22, of the 400 block of Division Street, were each charged with one count of aggravated battery.

The incident took place shortly before 6 a.m., when one of the four suspects demanded the victim give them a bottle of water from the cases he was loading into his vehicle outside a gas station in the 700 block of North Independence Boulevard, Romeoville Assistant Police Chief Steve Lucchesi said. The man refused, Lucchesi said.

“A short time later, the victim exited the store again and was jumped by the two males first," he said. "Then the two females jumped in, and all four were striking him.”

When police arrived at the scene, the suspects fled south on Illinois 53. They were stopped at Illinois 53 and Taylor Road, Lucchesi said.

In addition to the aggravated battery charges, Lane was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and Williamson was charged with obstructing identification for giving a false name to the officers. He was also arrested on a warrant for failure to appear in court on a prior obstructing justice charge, Lucchesi said.

The Will County Sheriff’s Office also charged Martinez with a parole violation.

All four remain in the Will County jail. Lane and Martinez are being held in lieu of $7,500 bail and Williamson and Miller in lieu of $5,000 bail. Their next court hearing is June 20.