Chicago man arrested after allegedly attacking his mother and making death threats

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

Ryan Paul Jerzak, 42, with a Chicago address, was arrested at his mother’s home on Willowbend Circle around 3:15 a.m. and charged with aggravated battery on a family or household member and first-degree terroristic threatening. The charges are each punishable by up to six years in prison.

Jerzak, who has no prior criminal record, was initially held on $5,000 bail, which was later increased to $15,000, and was scheduled to appear in Garland County District Court on Monday. On Monday, he was ordered by the court to have no contact with his mother.

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

While en route, officers were notified that a man named Jerzak was on the scene, arguing with his mother. When they arrived, officers found the garage door to the house open.

Officers entered the home and made contact with the victim as she was exiting her bedroom. They escorted her outside while they searched for Jerzak, who they reportedly found locked in the bathroom.

They entered the bathroom and found Jerzak had cut his left forearm and was bleeding. LifeNet responded and transported Jerzak to CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs for treatment.

His mother told police she woke up shortly after 2:30 a.m. “because (Jerzak) had damaged her office.” When she confronted him, he allegedly grabbed her by the throat “so that she could hardly breathe.” She managed to free herself and stepped back, but he grabbed her by the throat again and allegedly told her, “I’m going to kill you.”

She said he eventually let go of her and left, but then re-entered the house and confronted his mother again in the kitchen. He allegedly grabbed a steak knife and cut his forearm with it. He then yelled at his mother and threw the knife at her. She was able to dodge and the knife hit the wall behind her.

As she ran into her bedroom, Jerzak allegedly threw a flashlight at her, but she was able to dodge that, too, then locked herself in the bedroom and called 911 for help.

Jerzak was eventually released from the hospital and taken to the detention center shortly after 11 a.m. on Friday. He remained in custody as of Monday afternoon.