Kicked Walls, Battered Cop Result of DUI Arrest

What started as a drunk driving incident resulted in more charges after two people became disruptive at the Palos Heights Police Station.

Erald Groballi, 22, of the 7700 block of Joliet Drive in Tinley Park, was stopped for speeding at 4:18 a.m on Feb. 4 in the 12600 block of Harlem Avenue. Once pulled over by officers Groballi demonstrated signs of impairment, police said. 

He initially gave a false name and when his actual name was learned it was discovered that he had an active warrant in Cook County, police said. After being brought back to the station, Groballi became combative and physically resisted officers numerous times, police said.

The passenger of the car, Tina Caruso, 21, of the 9600 block of Marion in Oak Lawn, was given a ride to the station. Once inside she struck an officer and kicked holes in the wall of the booking room, police said. 

Groballi was charged with drunken driving, resisting a police officer, obstructing identification and speeding. Caruso was charged with battery and criminal damage to property.    

Police report information is provided by the Palos Heights Police Department and other law enforcement agencies. Charges are not evidence of guilt. They are a record of police actions taken on a given day, and persons charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. If you or a family member are charged or cited and the case is subsequently adjudicated, we encourage you to notify the editor. We will verify and report the outcome.