Man charged after swinging sledgehammer at vehicle

Grundy County deputies arrested a Coal City man after he allegedly shook a sledgehammer at a man’s vehicle and kicked it Sunday night.

At about 5:55 p.m., according to the Grundy County Sheriff’s Department release, police responded to the 2900 block of N. Bulrush Court, where a neighbor reportedly kicked another neighbor’s vehicle.

A man told the deputies as he drove by the home of William J. Olson Jr., 62. Olson was on a ladder installing a for-sale sign in his yard with a 10-pound sledgehammer. The man said Olson reportedly got off his ladder and was yelling something at him, although he couldn’t hear what he was saying because his windows were up.

Olson reportedly approached the vehicle and was swinging the sledgehammer in the direction of the vehicle. The man came to a stop and rolled down his window, and Olson reportedly continued to yell at him. The man called 9-1-1 because he was concerned Olson was going to strike his vehicle or him with the sledgehammer, and while he was on the phone with the dispatcher, he reported that Olson kicked his vehicle and went to his yard.

Neighbors and witnesses reported that he allegedly removed one neighbor’s mailbox and post and threw it in his driveway, and made threatening gestures at two teenage girls.

Olson denied the charges and reportedly attempted to run from the deputies, but was handcuffed. Deputies spoke with Olson’s son, who said he was upset about not being able to see his grandson on Father’s Day and had been acting out since earlier in the day.

Deputies arrested Olson on a charge of disorderly conduct. He posted $120 bond and was released from custody.