A judge denied pre-trial release to a woman, who he called a “danger to everyone,” after she allegedly rammed a stolen car into police cars and dragged a police officer, leaving him injured in Waukegan.
The Waukegan Police Department responded to investigate a stolen vehicle around 10 a.m. on January 27 at the Starbucks, 3300 Grand Avenue.
Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Nicholas Shepherd said the 911 caller, a family member of the owner of the car, reported the Hyundai Elantra was located occupied in the parking lot.
The car was stolen from Gurnee in December and had stolen license plates on it, Shepherd said. The victim arrived and confirmed it was his car.
Waukegan Deputy Police Chief Scott Chastain said officers approached the vehicle.
The officers found the occupants were sleeping and an officer opened the door.
The vehicle, driven by April M. Reins, 27, of Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, attempted to drive away and struck several vehicles, including two police squad cars.
The male passenger of the vehicle attempted to run away on foot and officers gave chase, Chastain said.
As the passenger fled, Reins struck an officer with the open passenger car door while continuing to try and drive away, Shepherd said.
Shepherd said the police sergeant got trapped and dragged by the open car door.
The officer was knocked to the ground and was injured, Chastain said.
A second officer grabbed the police sergeant and pulled him away to avoid being run over by the suspect vehicle.
Shepherd said the officer suffered a broken rib and abrasions to the arm, hip and shoulders.
Other officers had to jump out of the way to avoid being hit by the car.
Reins and the male suspect were eventually taken into custody and were believed to be overdosing after having just injected drugs.
The Waukegan Fire Department responded to the scene with three ambulances.
Shepherd said Reins told paramedics she had taken cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine.
Reins and the male passenger were transported to an area hospital to be treated for the overdose, Chastain said.
The officer injured was transported to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville for treatment.
Reins was charged with aggravated battery causing great bodily harm to a peace officer, aggravated battery of a peace officer, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, aggravated battery causing great bodily harm, three counts of aggravated assault of a peace officer, criminal damage to property, two counts of aggravated driving under the influence, driving under the influence of a drug, improper use of registration or tile, reckless driving, operating an uninsured motor vehicle and driving without a license.
Reins appeared in First Appearance Court following her arrest and Lake County Judge Donna-Jo Vorderstrasse read off Reins’ more than a dozen charges.
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office filed a petition to detain Reins in the Lake County Jail.
Vorderstrasse ordered Reins to be detained in the jail prior to a detention hearing where a judge would determine whether she will remain held in custody or not pending trial.
The detention hearing was initially scheduled for January 30 but the hearing was continued several times due to Reins being transported from the jail to the hospital.
The hearing was held on Monday before Lake County Judge Ari Fisz, who granted the petition to hold Reins in custody pending trial.
The judge said Reins was “lucky she didn’t kill him,” referring to the injured police sergeant. “The defendant is a danger to everyone in the community,” Fisz added.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for February 29.