Two Restaurant Employees Fight, Charged With Battery

Kiara Smith, 25, of East 68th Street, Chicago, and Sparkle Silas, 24, of Springfield, IL, were charged with battery Aug. 26 after police arrived at a restaurant in the 7000 block of Dempster, Niles, to find a fight in progress.

According to what both offenders and the victim told police, Silas had called the restaurant and asked to speak to Smith, who was working there. The 31-year-old head manager of the restaurant informed Silas on the phone that Smith could not have a personal conversation because she was waiting on customers. 

Silas told the manager in that phone call that she didn't appreciate the tone of the manager's comments, and exchanged heated words with her. Later, Silas arrived at the restaurant with Smith and asked to speak to the victim. The victim told them to leave, and, while holding a pen, waved her hand. Silas tried to swat the pen away and struck the victim on her head. Smith tried to also attack the victim. The victim pepper-sprayed Smith, and Silas pulled the victim's hair weave off of her head. 

The offenders' court date is Oct. 11 in the Skokie branch of the Cook County courts.

Man charged with driving on suspended license

Jeronimo Leal-Ortiz, 38, of Des Plaines was charged with driving on a suspended driver's license after police stopped him Aug. 25 following a vehicle accident in the 8300 block of Oak Street, Niles. Immigration and Customs Enforcement placed an immigration detainer on him and police held him for ICE pickup. His court date is Oct. 3 in Skokie.

Information is obtained from Niles police reports. Suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in court.