Man charged with battery after striking officers during Avalon Park traffic stop: police

Johnnie Coats allegedly got out of the vehicle, began hitting officers and tried to flee, police said.

By Sun-Times Wire

A Chicago police officer was shot Oct. 18, 2021, in Lincoln Park. — A man is facing charges after police say a traffic stop turned violent March 8, 2021, in Avalon Park.

A man is accused of fighting police during a traffic stop Monday in Avalon Park on the South Side.

Johnnie Coats, 25, is charged with felony counts of aggravated battery to a peace officer and resisting a peace officer, Chicago police said.

Officers stopped a vehicle about 1:45 p.m. after reports of a man with a gun in the 7900 block of South Blackstone Avenue, police said.

Coats allegedly got out of the vehicle, began hitting officers and tried to flee, police said. He was taken into custody and treated at Jackson Park Hospital for minor injuries.

An officer suffered a cut to his hand and was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center, officials said.

Coats is also facing two misdemeanor counts of battery, police said.

He is expected to appear in bond court Wednesday.

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