Authorities say a suspect linked to organized crime punched and kicked a police canine repeatedly after fleeing a traffic stop in Wauconda Tuesday evening.
A Wauconda police officer was on patrol around 5:50 p.m. Tuesday in the area of Route 12 and Bonner Road in Wauconda.
Wauconda Police Department Detective Sgt. Heather Cognac said the officer received a Flock license plate reader notification regarding a maroon Hyundai Elantra with an Illinois license plate.
The alert identified the vehicle as being linked to organized crime and multiple retail thefts.
The officer observed the vehicle traveling northbound on Route 12 and conducted a traffic stop near Case Road after noticing unlawful window tints, Cognac said.
The male driver was identified but the passenger provided inconsistent personal information.
The passenger, later identified as Jose Barico-Pena, 27, possibly of Chicago, fled on foot as officers attempted to verify his identity.
Barico-Pena fled toward Deacon’s Restaurant & Bar at the Golf Farm.
A foot pursuit ensued and the officer observed Barico-Pena reaching into his pocket, Cognac said.
The officer issued multiple warnings before deploying Canine Skye to apprehend him.
The suspect continued fleeing, jumped a fence and entered a wooded area.
Cognac said Skye caught up and bit Barico-Pena’s jacket and the suspect struck the canine multiple times before the officer recalled Skye.
Skye was soon redeployed and Barico-Pena kicked her in the head before fleeing the wooded area, Cognac said.
Another officer intercepted the suspect as he exited the wooded area and engaged in a brief struggle.
Officers deployed a taser, which successfully subdued Barico-Pena and they took him into custody.
Wauconda Police Chief David Wermes praised the efforts of the officers involved, including Canine Skye and her handler.
“This incident highlights the invaluable role of our K9 unit in law enforcement. K9 Skye and her handler demonstrated exceptional skill and dedication, and this successful outcome is a testament to the rigorous training that prepares our officers and canines to protect our community and fight crime effectively,” Wermes said.
Barico-Pena was transported to the Lake County Courthouse in Waukegan on Wednesday morning. He is charged with two counts of injuring a police animal, a Class 4 felony.
He was also found to have multiple outstanding felony arrest warrants.
The driver of the vehicle on the traffic stop was released without charges. Cognac said the canine did not have any visible injuries.