A judge denied pre-trial release for a suspect who allegedly attacked and carjacked a woman in Long Grove before fleeing from police and attempting to hijack another vehicle in Wauconda.
Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Mary Daly said Victor Masick, 19, of Cicero, was reported by his family to be missing and suicidal on the morning of November 18.
A Kia SUV was reported stolen around the same time outside of a residence in Berwyn, Daly said.
Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli said a 58-year-old Long Grove woman was pumping gas at a gas station in the 200 block of Robert Parker Coffin Road in Long Grove around 11:30 a.m. the same morning.
A silver Kia, driven by Masick, crashed into a gas pump at the gas station, Covelli said.
The man exited the Kia, later determined to be the stolen Kia out of Berwyn, after the collision.
Masick approached the victim as she entered the driverโs seat of her Mercedes-Benz.
The offender forcefully removed the victim from her vehicle and attempted to steal the car, Covelli said.
The victim fought back and was able to get back into the driverโs seat of her car.
Masick then battered her and forcefully removed her from the driverโs seat again before successfully stealing her car, Covelli said. The victim sustained minor injuries.
Lake County sheriffโs dispatchers broadcasted an emergency regional alert to law enforcement regarding the incident.
The victimโs vehicle was located by Hawthorn Woods police officers in the area of Old McHenry Road and Quentin Road.
Officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop but the offender fled.
Deputies located the stolen Mercedes-Benz at Route 12 and Lake Shore Drive in Wauconda, Daly said.
They learned Masick had blocked the northbound lanes of Route 12 with the Mercedes-Benz.
He got out of the car and tried to carjack a Ford Mustang but the driver had his doors locked, Daly said.
Sheriffโs deputies took the offender into custody without further incident.
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office approved charges against Masick of vehicular hijacking, possession of a stolen motor vehicle, three counts of aggravated assault with a motor vehicle, aggravated fleeing to elude, attempted vehicular hijacking and burglary by use of force.
Daly said Masick’s family reported he is schizophrenic and was not taking his medication at the time.
Daly argued for Masick to be detained in the Lake County Jail pending trial and said he is a threat to the community.
Lake County Judge Theodore Potkonjak granted the request to hold Masick pending trial during a detention hearing on Thursday.
Potkonjak said “thank goodness” no one was seriously injured in the crime spree.
The judge said that despite Masick having no criminal history, he does not feel any conditions of release could ensure the community’s safety.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for December 28.