Portillo's Fight Was Over Spilled Drink: Oswego Police

OSWEGO, IL — Oswego police say they are still gathering information on an altercation between an 18-year-old Portillo's employee and a 48-year-old customer over the weekend that ended with the teenager being taken to a hospital. They say the fight at the Route 34 restaurant started after the employee spilled a drink in the customer's vehicle.

No charges have been filed in the incident, and police say they have been working with the Kendall County State's Attorney's Office and will review "the final investigative report with their office to determine the next course of action."

On Tuesday, police again asked for patience after cell phone video of the Sunday incident surfaced on social media, prompting allegations of a racially motivated attack on the teenage restaurant employee. The Montgomery teen suffered a sprained elbow and had hair ripped from his head, according to police, while the customer suffered injuries to his face and abrasions elsewhere, but declined treatment.

Police said they interviewed the Montgomery teen on Monday, and the 48-year-old Aurora man spoke to officers Sunday.

"Based on statements from witnesses and both individuals involved in the incident as well as video recordings, police have confirmed that both parties had a verbal argument about the spilled beverage while the customer was in the vehicle," police said in a statement Tuesday. The man and the teen both "reported that they felt threatened by the other during the verbal argument while the customer was seated in his vehicle. Statements and evidence obtained confirmed that the verbal argument turned physical after the customer exited his vehicle."

Police said they were able to view video surveillance from the Portillo's and have since worked with the community to identify witnesses and obtain addition video that was posted to social media. Police are also looking to speak to any additional witnesses and are seeking any additional video footage or audio that may exist of the incident.

"We understand the concern over this incident in the community and are working to gather information as quickly as possible to understand the full picture of what transpired,” Police Chief Jeff Burgner said. "Given community tension around this incident, it is our goal to ensure that this investigation is conducted thoroughly and accurately to ensure justice for the parties involved. We appreciate the community’s continued patience and any information that members of the community can provide."

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