Scuffle w/Police Over Weapon in Mattoon

A Chicago man has been arrested after an early morning altercation with police in Mattoon that involved a scuffle over firearms.

23-year-old Zakar Jeffrey was arrested just after midnight Tuesday morning at Sunrise Apartments. Jeffrey was arrested on two counts of aggravated battery to a police officer as well as counts of obstructing justice by giving false information, criminal trespass to state-supported property, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, attempting to disarm a peace officer, and resisting a peace officer.

Mattoon police say the incident began when two officers were sent to a loud noise complaint within the apartment complex. The charges allege that officers spoke with Jeffrey and that he provided officers with a false name. Officers demanded proper identification from Jeffrey and he produced a handgun from his pocket. A fight for possession of the gun and one officer's duty weapon ensued. Jeffrey was eventually taken into custody. He had been previously banned from the property. Both officers received minor injuries during the fight with Jeffrey.

24-year-old Ladonna Denson of Mattoon and Chicago was also arrested in the matter. Denson was charged with obstructing justice and bringing contraband into a penal institution, that being a firearm. The charges allege that while officers were attempting to apprehend Jeffrey, Denson obtained his handgun and hit it from police. It's also alleged that Denson tried to take the loaded firearm to Jeffrey in the Mattoon Police Department jail by hiding it within her body cavity.