'Agitated' Homeless Man Charged With Criminal Trespass at Church

The following are two incidents resulting in arrests or citations from the Geneva police blotter.

Criminal Trespass to Church

Geneva police arrested William Taber, 42, on charges of criminal trespass to property after an incident around 8:38 a.m. Oct. 17 at the First Baptist Church, 2300 South St., reports said.

According to reports, Taber is homeless and frequents the churches in the area for food. When police arrived, Taber was in the front lobby of the church in an “agitated state because he was not receiving the help he feels he needs,” reports said. Taber refused to leave the church until he finished the orange juice provided for him.

When he was done, officers asked him to leave and not return or he would be subject to arrest. Taber argued with offices as he removed himself from the property, challenged officers to a fight, then started walking back toward the lobby of the church, at which time officers took him into custody.

Battery Under Local Ordinance

Geneva police cited Stephanie Baldyga, 22, of Geneva under local ordinance for battery around 5:52 p.m. Oct. 18 in the 0-100 block of Simpson Street, reports said.

According to reports Baldyga pushed a common door of the apartment complex into the right arm of the victim. The citation carries a fine of $50 if paid on its due date.

Patch reports on law enforcement activity in Geneva, using information provided by official agencies. Persons charged with a crime, or issued a citation for violation of a local ordinance, are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. If you or a family member are charged with a crime or cited for a violation, and the charge or citation is subsequently adjudicated, we encourage you to notify Geneva editor Rick Nagel at rickn@patch.com and we will do follow-up reporting on the case.