MONROE — The call came in during those hours when it is late-night for the world but early the next morning for bar workers closing-up on Sept. 4 — a man with a gun, reportedly part of a gang of four who pulled up in a Jeep, pistol-whipped an employee in the parking lot of a Monroe bar; and tried to kidnap him at gunpoint before he fought and wrested the gun away.
The alleged incident was outside Ware House Bar just after 3:30 a.m. at W5222 County Hwy KK, in the Town of Monroe, where suspects including the main defendant allegedly ambushed the bar worker waiting for his ride home, according to a criminal complaint filed against defendant Jose Omar Quiros Torres, 36, of Freeport, Ill.
“(VICTIM 1) described that he was outside of the bar in the parking lot when a Jeep brand vehicle approached him,” said the complaint. “He explained that four individuals exited the vehicle and one of the individuals ‘pistol whipped’ (struck him with a pistol) in the head and then pointed the pistol at his side and told him to get into the vehicle.”
The victim then lunged at the defendant, grabbed the pistol, and tossed it away, according to the complaint:
“(VICTIM 1) further explained that when this occurred, he also punched the individual, who then punched him back. He stated he punched him a second time resulting in the individual losing his balance and falling against the siding of the nearby building. (VICTIM 1) stated that he took the opportunity to then flee the fight location and enter (WITNESS 1)’S vehicle.”
It is unclear from the complaint whether any of the other alleged perpetrators were located or charged.
According to court records, Quiros Torres is scheduled to appear in Green County Circuit Court again on the case for a pre-trial conference on September 16.
The defendant, prosecutors say, was convicted on October 2, 2024 of the felony crime of Intimidate Victim/Use or Attempt Force, misdemeanor battery and disorderly conduct.
The attempted kidnapping charge, upon conviction, carries a maximum possible jail sentence of up to 25 years, with additional time for committing the offense while using a dangerous weapon; and doing so as a convicted felon.
Quiros Torres remained in Green County jail late Thursday, deputies there said.
