Prosecutors say a man armed himself with rocks and a metal rod, which he used to strike a sheriff’s deputy in the head, when deputies tried to arrest him for walking on railroad tracks near Barrington.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office responded around 6 a.m. on November 4 to Route 14 and Cuba Road near Barrington for a suspicious person call.
Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Mary Vukovich said deputies found Carlos E. Medina-Silva, 45, who has no permanent address, walking on train tracks while barefoot.
A train had stopped and deputies told Medina-Silva to get off the tracks.
Medina-Silva said that he did not need help and refused their instructions, Vukovich said.
Deputies called for backup and approached Medina-Silva, who was holding a metal rod in one hand and rocks in another.
Deputies told Medina-Silva to drop the items but he continued ignoring them, Vukovich said.
Vukovich said Medina-Silva “squared up” as if he was going to strike the deputies.
One deputy used his baton to strike Medina-Silva multiple times but that was unsuccessful in getting him to comply.
Other deputies moved in from behind and Medina-Silva struck one of them in the head with the rod, Vukovich said.
Another deputy had his left finger jammed with possible tendon damage during the struggle.
Vukovich said another deputy slammed his knee into the ground during the struggle and was having trouble walking.
Deputies eventually got Medina-Silva into handcuffs. He refused to speak to them after he was in custody.
Medina-Silva was charged with aggravated battery to a peace officer, resisting a peace officer causing injury, criminal trespass and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office filed a petition to detain Medina-Silva pending trial.
Medina-Silva refused to appear for a detention hearing multiple times following his arrest while being held in the jail. He is also facing additional charges for damaging property in the jail.
Lake County Judge Michael Nerheim eventually ordered the hearing to be held without Medina-Silva present.
Vukovich said Medina-Silva had just pleaded guilty to criminal trespass, theft and retail theft over the summer prior to his latest arrest.
Nerheim granted the petition to detain Medina-Silva, who is scheduled to appear in court on December 10 for a preliminary hearing.