Hurst man accused of following woman, trying to take her cell phone

CARBONDALE, Ill. (KBSI) – A Hurst, Ill. man faces charges after police say he tried to take a woman’s cell phone.

Ryan M. Steinman, 38, faces aggravated battery and disorderly conduct charges.

Carbondale police officers responded to the sounds of a female screaming in the area of South Washington Street and East Walnut Street on March 30 at 1:03 a.m.

Officers found the female and learned the she had been approached by a suspect trying to get her to hug him. The victim walked away from the suspect who police say continued to watch her while yelling insults. The suspect then quickly approached the victim again. She pulled out her pepper spray to defend herself and her cellphone in an attempt to call the police.

The suspect continued to approach as the victim was calling 911, so she sprayed him with the pepper spray. Police say the suspect tried to take the victim’s cell phone and a struggle ensued.

Officers arrested Steinman and identified Steinman as the suspect in a prior case that occurred near the intersection of South Illinois Avenue and West Grand Avenue on March 9.

Steinman faces aggravated battery and disorderly conduct for that incident as well. Steinman was incarcerated in the Jackson County Jail. The victim was also exposed to the pepper spray, but was otherwise uninjured. The investigations into both incidents are continuing.