A male suspect from Des Plaines is in custody after he confronted an employee at a vape shop with a box cutter. The employee escaped the building, but the offender barricaded himself inside the business for several hours before he surrendered to a tactical force of police officers.
Police officers from Des Plaines responded about 8:59 a.m. Saturday, May 9, 2026 to a report of a male armed with a box cutter who confronted a shop employee at Vortex Vapes, 1564 Rand Road in Des Plaines in a strip mall near the northeast corner of Rand Road and River Road.
The employee was able to flee the building to safety, but the suspect barricaded himself inside the business, according to police. The Des Plaines Police Tactical Response Team was assigned to use force if necessary, and negotiate the suspect’s surrender. Des Plaines Fire Department paramedics were also assigned in case there were any injuries at the scene.
The Des Plaines Police Tactical Response Team communicated and negotiated with the suspect, Leonard G. Puscasu, age 26, who surrendered after about three hours. The strip mall was closed for three to four hours until the suspect’s arrest. Des Plaines Police Department did not initially announce any charges, but indicated that additional information about the case on Saturday would be announced on Monday, May 11, 2026.
VIDEO (some graphic language from Mark Newman TikTok @__smooth_operator__).
Leonard G. Puscasu has a criminal history of arrests for Battery and Aggravated Battery in 2025 on the same day.
Des Plaines police officers were dispatched about 10:34 a.m. Monday, July 21, 2025 to a dispute between two parties near Sesquicentennial Park in the block of 200 Grove Avenue in Des Plaines. Upon arrival, officers identified the offender as Leonard Puscasu. They requested him to identify himself to which he refused. He continued to consume an alcohol beverage in public despite being asked to dispose of the can. After refusing to comply, he was taken into custody. He was charged with minor battery, resisting arrest, and open alcohol in public. He was given a court date and released.
Later the same day, Des Plaines officers were dispatched about 5:35 p.m. Monday, July 21, 2025 to 1165 Lee St. for an irritated patron. Upon arrival it was learned the suspect was the same as the suspect from earlier in the day, Leonard Puscasu. Leonard was yelling at staff regarding the temperature of his food, and attempted to batter one of the employees. He also grabbed a TIP jar from the counter and broke it on the floor. Leonard then turned his aggression towards a patron and threw a paper bag at her. She responded by spraying Leonard with pepper spray. Des Plaines police took him into custody and he was transported to a bond hearing. Leonard Puscasu was charge with Aggravated Battery, Criminal Damage to Property, Assault, and Disorderly Conduct.
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