A Wrigleyville bar manager disarmed an Indiana man who pulled out a handgun when the tavern refused to serve him, prosecutors said. It’s the second time in four days that someone from Indiana has been smacked with felony gun charges following disputes at North Side establishments.
Around 11:30 Tuesday night, staff members at Output bar, 3720 North Clark, told Dragan Tzanetakos that they were going to stop serving him, according to prosecutors. Tzanetakos, of Dyer, Indiana, allegedly responded by pulling out a handgun.
Upon seeing the gun, the bar’s manager “created a distraction” by yelling loudly, battered Tzanetakos, and wrestled away the firearm, according to CPD records. Tzanetakos ran out of the bar with the manager hot on his heels, prosecutors said.
The manager flagged down a passing police unit, told them what happened, and pointed them in Tzanetakos’ direction. The cops arrested Tzanetakos nearby.
He allegedly told police that he is “allowed” to carry a gun back in Indiana, but authorities could not confirm that claim. Tzanetakos, 33, is not licensed to carry a weapon in Illinois, prosecutors said.
An ambulance transported Tzanetakos to Thorek Hospital for injuries he suffered during the altercation with Output’s manager.
Prosecutors charged him with felony aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and misdemeanor aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. His defense attorney said Tzanetakos, who earned a master’s degree from Purdue University, has no criminal background.
Judge Arthur Willis said the state’s allegations were “very concerning” as he ordered Tzanetakos held on $5,000 bail. Tzanetakos will need to post a $500 deposit bond to get out of jail before trial.
Update February 19, 2022 — According to court records, Tzanetakos pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of misdemeanor carrying a firearm. He received a sentence of two years probation, 30 hours of community service, and random drug and alcohol testing with zero tolerance from Judge Michael Hood.
Biscuits and gravy
On Friday morning, 34-year-old Patrick White of Indiana was arrested when employees of a River North diner reported seeing a handgun in his pocket after he allegedly became belligerent because the restaurant didn’t serve biscuits and gravy.
Employees of Tempo Cafe, 6 East Chestnut, tried to calm him down by showing him an extensive menu filled with other breakfast options, prosecutors said. But the staff decided to ask him to leave after they saw the butt of a handgun sticking out of his pocket, according to the state’s allegations.
Tempo workers called 911 and directed cops to White, who was about a block away when officers arrived. Cops found a loaded handgun in his pocket during a pat-down search, according to a CPD report.
Prosecutors charged White with felony aggravated unlawful use of a weapon. They said he has a license to own a firearm in Indiana, but he’s not licensed to own or carry a gun in Illinois.
Judge Willis on Saturday set bail at $5,000. White went home by posting a $500 deposit bond that evening.
