Man, 21, is arrested for coughing in Chicago cops’ faces and claiming he had coronavirus after he got into a car crash
- Chicago man Anthony Ponzi, 21, was arrested on Sunday after he coughed into the faces of police officers claiming that he was infected with COVID-19
- He hit another car while driving on the wrong side of the road in Rogers Park
- When cops arrived they said they found Ponzi being aggressive, slurring his speech, swaying and foaming at the mouth
- Ponzi then coughed in their faces and claimed he had COVID-19
- He was arrested and taken to a hospital where he confessed he was not sick
- He has been charged with two felony counts of aggravated battery to a peace officer and several misdemeanor charges
- Coronavirus symptoms: what are they and should you see a doctor?
Chicago man Anthony Ponzi, 21, was arrested on Sunday after he coughed into the faces of police officers claiming that he was infected with COVID-19
A 21-year-old Illinois man has been hit with charges after he coughed into the faces of Chicago police officers while claiming he was infected with coronavirus.
Anthony Ponzi was arrested on Sunday after he got into a car crash and he coughed on responding officers saying that he had the contagious COVID-19 virus, police said.
Officers responded to the call of a crash around 8am in Rogers Park in the city’s North Side.
Police said Ponzi had driven his gray Jeep the wrong way on Wolcott Avenue and collided into another car. He then exited his vehicle and allegedly attacked the other driver.
When cops arrived they found Ponzi being aggressive, slurring his speech, swaying and foaming at the mouth, authorities said as per KTVU.
When officers tried to speak to Ponzi, he coughed in their faces and claimed he had COVID-19.
On Monday, 236 additional cases of coronavirus were confirmed in Illinois, as well as three deaths. In the state there are now 1,285 cases in 31 counties and there have been a total of 12 fatalities
Medical personnel pictured at a drive-thru testing site in North Lake, Illinois on Sunday
Ponzi was arrested and taken to St. Francis Hospital where he confessed to staff that he did not actually have the virus, cops said.
He has been charged with two felony counts of aggravated battery to a peace officer and several misdemeanor charges, including battery DUI and resisting arrest.
He was scheduled to appear in court on Monday.
On Monday, 236 additional cases of coronavirus were confirmed in Illinois, as well as three deaths. In the state there are now 1,285 cases in 31 counties and there have been a total of 12 fatalities.