An officer had to pull another officer out of the way to avoid being struck by a fleeing car that led police on a pursuit through North Chicago before the suspect was later arrested.
Officers with the North Chicago Police Department were on patrol near Broadway Avenue and Jackson Street around 12:30 a.m. on April 8.
Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Mary Vukovich said officers saw Anthony D. Hicks, 18, of Round Lake, driving a car registered to him.
The car had dark-tinted windows and no front license plate.
The car pulled out of an apartment complex, which is known for recent violence and shootings, Vukovich said.
The car circled the block and officers conducted a traffic stop on the car.
Officers made contact with Hicks who was in the driver’s seat and a female passenger in the car.
Hicks identified himself to the officers and they asked him to step out of the car.
Vukovich said Hicks rolled up his window, backed up and drove forward while fleeing the scene.
The car almost struck a police officer who was standing by the side of the car. Another officer had to pull that officer out of the way to avoid being struck, Vukovich said.
Police officers pursued Hicks’ vehicle, which ultimately failed to stop at approximately 15 stop signs.
Vukovich said Hicks went through the stop signs at Elizabeth Avenue and 20th Street, Argonne Drive, 18th Street, 17th Street, 16th Street, 15th Street and 14th Street.
Hicks then traveled north on Greenfield Avenue and the North Chicago Police Department terminated the pursuit with the car proceeding into Waukegan.
The car was entered as a wanted felony vehicle into a law enforcement database and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office stopped the car later the same day.
Hicks’ mother was driving the car and reported that Hicks picked her up and dropped her at his car, Vukovich said.
Hicks then had his mother drive his car and he drove hers, Vukovich said. Sheriff’s deputies were able to take Hicks into custody around 6:30 p.m. that day.
He was charged with aggravated fleeing to elude, two counts of disregarding a stop sign and plate violation.
Hicks was on pre-trial release in a felony burglary case out of Waukegan where he was non-compliant with pre-trial monitoring services.
Hicks was scheduled to appear in court in the Waukegan case on April 8 — the same day he allegedly fled from police in North Chicago — and failed to appear, resulting in a warrant being issued.
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office filed a petition to revoke his pre-trial release, which was granted by Lake County Judge Ari Fisz.
Hicks remains held in the Lake County Jail and is scheduled to appear in court again on May 6 for a preliminary hearing.