An altercation that started at a Racine church ended when police took a Mount Pleasant man into custody after they say he tried to run over his ex-wife’s boyfriend and threatened him with a knife.
John Hutchinson, 52, was charged Thursday in Racine County Circuit Court with two felony counts of first degree recklessly endangering safety and one misdemeanor count each of disorderly conduct with a dangerous weapon and obstructing a police officer. If convicted, he faces up to 26 years in jail and/or up to $61,000 in fines.
According to the criminal complaint, on May 23 Hutchinson showed up at an event at St. Edward’s Church in West Racine and started a verbal altercation with his ex-wife’s boyfriend. The man told police he left the area to avoid escalating the situation.
While the man was driving away, Hutchinson followed him, tailing closely and flashing his lights. Police say the man decided to pull over to tell the defendant to leave him alone. Hutchinson also pulled over but suddenly swerved back into the traffic lane and tried to run the man over.
The man jumped out of the way and watched Hutchinson continue down the street a bit before he turned around and aimed for the man a second time, the complaint reads. Again, the man managed to jump out of the way, but then, he told police, Hutchinson pulled over, exited his vehicle and shouted, “I'll (expletive) kill you” while holding a knife with a six-inch blade.
There was a witness in the area, and the man said when Hutchinson noticed that person, he got back in his car and drove away, according to police.
Racine police located Hutchinson in the 1600 block of Taylor Avenue. When they attempted a traffic stop, though, the defendant tried to avoid officers by turning down a variety of streets before finally pulling over. Officers say when they approached the car and asked Hutchinson if he had any weapons, he responded, “Nope, just this lollipop I’m sucking on.”
However, police spotted a baseball bat next to the defendant and saw a knife on the floor next to Hutchinson’s foot, the complaint reads. Hutchinson did finally admit to getting into an altercation with the man, and Racine police note there is a restraining order against the defendant for “previous acts of domestic violence.”
Hutchinson posted a $5,000 cash bond Thursday and will have his preliminary hearing on June 12.
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