Darien Teen Charged with Picking a Fight in Hinsdale

Salvatore M. Fratto, of the 1500 block of Winterberry Ln. in Darien, turned himself in to the  Tuesday, where police charged him with fighting and disorderly conduct.

Police said the 18-year-old picked a fight with a group of four teenage juveniles Saturday night and then made a false police report the next day saying he was the victim.

Deputy Chief Mark Wodka said several independent eyewitnesses saw a seemingly intoxicated Fratto approach the four teenagers playing basketball outside a home in the 600 block of South County Line Road in Hinsdale at 11 p.m. Saturday. Fratto attempted to pull one of the juvenile’s shirts over his head, Wodka said.

“A fight ensued from his initial contact,” he said.

One of the juveniles struck Fratto in the face, police said. He sought medical attention Saturday night for a facial injury and then filed a report with police on Sunday that said four intoxicated teens approached him while he was outside his friend’s home, struck him in the face, and hit him while he was on the ground.

“We were able to establish that the information he reported to us did not corroborate with the physical evidence that was found,” Wodka said.

Police followed up with the witnesses to get more information and were told that the four juveniles, one of which is an acquaintance of Fratto's, did not appear to be under the influence of alcohol and were acting in self-defense. Wodka said there was no evidence that Fratto was hit while on the ground.

After police charged Fratto, they released him, with court dates pending.