Hammond Man Charged with Battery after Incident at a Lowell Bowling Alley
On April 18, 2025, the Lowell Police Department was dispatched to Country Lanes, 1900 Lucas Parkway, in reference to a fight in which a patron had struck another patron over the head with a pool cue.
According to court documents, the LPD arrived at the business and observed the victim laying on the ground with numerous patrons surrounding the victim and attempting to provide aid. The officer observed the victim to be unconscious and asked where the suspect was located. The suspect was located outside of the building seated on the ground.
According to court documents, the officer spoke with Harold Raschke, who advised that he was at the bowling alley with his girlfriend for league night. Raschke stated they have been having relationship issues lately. Raschke advised the officer he and his girlfriend began to argue over her speaking to other males. Raschke then stated he had a verbal argument with the victim and advised the victim to stop talking with his girlfriend. Raschke then stated he ”suckered punched” the victim and stated “I did it.” When asked what he meant by “sucker punching,” Raschke stated that he reached behind the counter, grabbed a pool cue, and struck the victim with the pool cue.
The officer noted, while speaking with Raschke, he could detected a strong odor of alcohol coming from Raschke’s breath. When questioned by the officer if he had consumed any alcoholic beverages that evening, Raschke stated that “he had a few beers and two shots.” The officer advised Raschke that he was being detained for the investigation of battery. The officer offered a portable breath test, to which Raschke agreed and provided a sample of 0.137 BAC.
According to court documents, the investigating officer was provided video footage of the business. It was noted that Raschke approached the victim from behind and struck the victim forcefully with a pool stick in the back of the head. It was noted that Raschke used two hands while swinging the stick. It was also noted that Raschke grabbed the victim from the front and forcefully threw the victim to the ground, causing the victim to fall backwards.
According to court documents, the victim was transported to a local hospital and was being treated for life threatening injuries.
Raschke is currently lodged in the Lake County Jail.
Harold Raschke was charged on April 19, 2025, with:
Aggravated Battery – posing a substantial risk of death: F3 Felony
Battery – F5 Felony
