A 24-year-old Chicago man, Shaquille Dukes, was arrested after taking a walk while he was attached to an IV machine. He shared the story on Facebook.
What We Know:
- Dukes was being treated at Freeport Hospital for asthma and pneumonia. His doctor told him to go for a walk, so he went outside following the doctor’s orders.
- He reported that a security officer approached him and accused him of “trying to leave the hospital and sell the IV equipment on eBay.”
- Shortly after, members of the Freeport Police Department arrived on the scene and arrested him and two others. He claims Sgt. Jeff Zalaznik told him he was being arrested for attempted theft. But, Dukes and the other individuals were charged with disorderly conduct.
- Dukes posted video clips of the incident to his Facebook account. The audio is not clear, but he claims after he explained that he was a patient at the hospital, he was told by an officer “I don’t care why you’re here you’re going to jail.”
- Dukes reported that his IV was “removed on the sidewalk, and it was NOT by a doctor.” The Freeport Police Department released a statement saying FHN medical personnel removed the IV at Duke’s request.
- He also reported that officers had taken away his rescue inhaler and only returned it after he suffered a seizure and an asthma attack in transit.
- Police Chief Todd Barkalow told ABC News “It was determined that he was likely not trying to steal any of the property. But the charges were supported for disorderly conduct with their actions toward the security guard.”
A third party is investigating the incident.
