By Patricia Bogumil
Editor
The usually friendly atmosphere of the Union Grove Family Restaurant was anything but May 11, when a fight between two employees left blood splattered in most of the kitchen area, the women’s bathroom and hall area.
Simon Cabrera-Barrueta, 45, who worked there as a cook, has been charged with first-degree recklessly endangering safety, aggravated battery and misdemeanor disorderly conduct by use of a dangerous weapon.
According to the complaint filed May 13 in Racine County Circuit Court:
Another cook at the restaurant told deputies that Cabrera-Barrueta had come into the kitchen, grabbed his neck and put a knife to his throat, telling him that he was going to die.
The victim said he pushed Cabrera-Barrueta away, and felt Cabrera-Barrueta hit him in the back.
A fight ensued, with Cabrera-Barrueta reportedly aiming a knife at the victim’s chest and the victim successfully knocking down Cabrera-Barrueta while trying to get the knife out of his grasp.
Besides a swollen and bruised face, Cabrera-Barrueta received a broken nose and possible broken left arm and he required multiple stitches for lacerations to his fingers and his lip.
The victim sustained a deep 2-inch long laceration to his upper back that required stitches, as well as a laceration to his forearm.
A third cook confirmed the victim’s story and said he believed Cabrera-Barrueta had been drinking on his break, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., that day.
He said Cabrera-Barrueta appeared to be trying to cut the victim’s throat.
The victim said Cabrera-Barrueta had tried to knife him on two earlier occasions, and speculated that Cabrera-Barrueta has mental issues.
Cabrera-Barrueta made an initial appearance in Racine County Circuit Court May 14, when probable cause was found that he committed the crimes with which he is charged.
A $500 cash bond was set. As a condition of that bond, Cabrera-Barrueta is to avoid contact with the restaurant and victim; not possess any weapons; and not consume alcohol.
He is next scheduled in court May 23 for a preliminary hearing,
If convicted of all charges, he faces a maximum of 18 years, 8 months in prison; $36,000 in fines; or both.
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