Shorewood Teen Allegedly Runs Car Over Young Woman's Arm During Drug Deal Ripoff

A local teen allegedly ran his car over a young woman's arm after she tried to stop him from beating and robbing her boyfriend who, police said, only wanted to buy some drugs.

The driver and alleged drug dealer-turned-ripoff artist — Jacob Gajcak, 18, of 712 Dover Way — was arrested at his home Saturday night on charges of aggravated battery, robbery and resisting arrest, said Shorewood police Cmdr. Eric Allen.

But when Gajcak went to court Monday afternoon, prosecutors dropped those charges down to misdemeanor battery and theft while they further probe his alleged May 30 attack on a young couple.

On that evening, Allen said, a young man and young woman set up a 6:15 p.m. meeting with Gajcak to purchase marijuana.

The parties rendezvoused near the corner of Ranchwood Drive and Colonade Road with the male half of the young couple getting inside Gajcak's car, Allen said. But instead of just selling him marijuana as he had agreed to, Gajcak pummeled his customer and took his money.

Gajcak's mark apparently gave as good as he got, as Gajcak sports a black eye in his county jail mugshot.

"The injuries in the photograph are from the fight on the 30th," Allen said, and not from when Gajcak allegedly resisted arrest Saturday night.

In that instance, Gajcak simply ran away from the police and tried to retreat to the safety of his home, Allen said.

While Gajcak was scuffling with the young man he was supposed to sell marijuana to, the young woman yanked open the driver's side door and tried to pull Gajcak away, Allen said. In response, Gajcak dropped his car into drive and lurched forward, knocking the young woman to the pavement.

A source familiar with the investigation said one of the wheels rolled over the prone woman's arm, breaking the bone. Troy Township firefighters transported the young woman to Provena St. Joseph Medical Center, said Fire Chief Steve Engledow.

The Shorewood police captured Gajcak, whose occupation, according to jail records, is "sandblasting," after obtaining a warrant to search his car, Allen said.

It was not known if the searched vehicle was the same one Gajcak was driving when the police pulled him over on March 23 and on charges of possession of controlled substance, possession of marijuana, possession of drug equipment, unlawful use of a hidden compartment and speeding.

While the felony charges filed by the Shorewood police were reduced to misdemeanors in court Monday, prosecutors are likely going to boost them back up again.

"The (misdemeanor) charges are related to the fight with the male victim," said Charles B. Pelkie, the spokesman for the Will County State's Attorney's Office. "The other allegations are under investigation and we'll be reviewing them for further charges."

Judge Marzell Richardson set Gajcak's bond at $3,500. Gajcak appeared at his Monday afternoon bond hearing through a video feed broadcast from the jail. He politely thanked Richardson for the $3,500 bond and told him to "have a great day."