A Huntley man was arrested for allegedly forcing entry and burglarizing a store in Huntley before then trying to escape police custody after he was transported to the hospital Wednesday morning.
Vincent Baldocchi, 41, of Huntley, was charged with burglary, retail theft, possession of burglary tools, attempted escape, criminal damage to property and resisting a peace officer.
Huntley Deputy Police Chief Kevin Keane said Baldocchi was accused of breaking into a retail establishment in the 11700 block of Main Street in Huntley during the early morning hours on Wednesday.
A criminal complaint filed in McHenry County Circuit Court alleges Baldocchi burglarized Best Price Tobacco & Gifts, 11717 East Main Street, around 2:55 a.m.
The complaint said Baldocchi stole cartons of Newport cigarettes and 20 different vape products.
The complaint said Baldocchi forced entry to the business through the front glass door and was found in possession of burglary tools.
Court documents said Baldocchi was seen on camera committing the burglary while armed with a “distinctive weapon” and wearing distinctive clothing.
Keane said Baldocchi was arrested by officers on the corner of Algonquin Road and Church Street a short time after the burglary.
He was found with the stolen items, the same weapon and the same clothing.
Baldocchi was later transported to Northwestern Medicine Huntley Hospital for unspecified reasons.
Keane said Baldocchi attempted to escape custody but was unable to do so. “He did not get very far at all.”
Court documents said Baldocchi was sitting with an officer at the hospital and was handcuffed.
Baldocchi claimed he needed to use the bathroom so the officer uncuffed him and allowed him to use the restroom but he tried fleeing from the officer, court documents said.
The McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office filed a petition to detain Baldocchi pending trial, arguing he poses a flight risk.
McHenry County Judge Cynthia Lamb granted the request during an Initial Appearance Court hearing on Thursday.
“No condition or combination of conditions can mitigate the risk of willful flight this Defendant poses. If having a police officer next to him will not mitigate the risk of this defendant fleeing then no less restrictive means such as electronic monitoring will,” Lamb said.
Baldocchi remains held in the McHenry County Jail and is scheduled to appear in court again on April 16 for a status of preliminary hearing.