Prosecutors say a Waukegan man nearly crashed into a natural gas line before forcing his way into an occupied home in Waukegan, which was witnessed by officers who had to physically stop him.
Isrrael Flores, 19, of Waukegan, was charged with aggravated assault of a peace officer, criminal trespass to residence, driving under the influence, resisting a peace officer and failure to notify of a crash.
Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Michael Theis said officers were called on Tuesday for a call of an unknown person trying to break into an apartment.
The 911 caller reported the man, later identified as Flores, was muttering that he had to get inside and jigged the handle of the door.
Officers encountered Flores, who they witnessed forcing his way into the apartment, Theis said.
He rushed into the apartment and officers moved quickly to arrest him.
Theis said Flores resisted arrest and was eventually taken into custody. He continued fighting with police as they moved him into the squad car.
Officers had to wait for backup to arrive in order to safely put him into the squad car due to him resisting, Theis said.
Officers found a vehicle, which is registered to a family member of Flores, parked on the grass just inches away from a natural gas main that supplies the entire building.
Theis said the car’s window was broken and the path the car traveled was littered with debris and damage.
Surveillance video showed the car driving through a private lot before nearly hitting the gas line.
Flores, who was intoxicated, was seen exiting the car and heading into the apartment complex, Theis said.
While at the police department, Flores lunged at an officer while they attempted to perform field sobriety testing, Theis said. He was subdued before being able to strike the officer.
At the time of his arrest, Flores was on supervision for battery for a April 2023 domestic incident that occurred in Libertyville. He was also on supervision for a July 2023 DUI in Round Lake Beach.
Theis called the situation “incredibly concerning” and argued Flores poses a danger to the community.
Lake County Judge Michael Nerheim granted a petition to revoke Flores’ release and remanded him to the Lake County Jail.
Flores is scheduled to appear in court again on November 21 for a preliminary hearing.