Chicago man arrested after allegedly assaulting his mother and threatening to kill her

A Chicago man was arrested early Friday on felony charges after allegedly assaulting his mother in Hot Springs, throwing a knife and flashlight at her and threatening to kill her.

Ryan Paul Jerzak, 42, who lists a Chicago address, was arrested around 3:15 a.m. at his mother's home on Willowbend Circle and charged with aggravated assault of a family or household member and of first-degree terroristic threats, each of which is punishable by up to a prison term. to six years in prison.

Jerzak, who reports no local criminal history, was initially held on $5,000 bail, but bail was later increased to $15,000 and he was scheduled to appear in Garland County District Court on Monday. A court order barring him from any contact with his mother was issued Monday.

According to the probable cause affidavit, shortly before 3 a.m. Friday, Hot Springs Police Officer Jacob Palmer responded to the Willowbend address regarding a disturbance.

During the drive, officers were notified that a man, identified as Jerzak, was at the scene during an altercation with his mother. Upon arrival, officers noticed that the garage door leading to the residence was open.

Officers entered the home and made contact with the victim as she came out of her bedroom and escorted her outside while they searched for Jerzak, who they allegedly found locked in the bathroom.

They entered the bathroom and noticed Jerzak had cut his left forearm, causing it to bleed. LifeNet responded and transported Jerzak to CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs for treatment.

Her mother told police she woke up shortly after 2:30 a.m. “because (Jerzak) damaged her desk.” When she confronted him, he allegedly grabbed her by the throat, “making her unable to breathe.” She managed to free herself and backed away, but he grabbed her by the throat again and allegedly told her: “I'm going to kill you.”

She said he finally let her go and then left, but he went back into the house and confronted her mother again in the kitchen. He allegedly grabbed a steak knife and sliced ​​his forearm. Then he yelled at his mother and threw the knife at her. She managed to dodge it and the knife hit the wall behind her.

As she ran toward her room, Jerzak allegedly threw a flashlight at her, but she also managed to dodge it, then locked herself in the bedroom and called 911 for help.

Jerzak was eventually released from the hospital and was placed in the detention center shortly after 11 a.m. Friday. He was still in custody Monday afternoon.