A Round Lake Heights man is facing a slew of felony charges after he allegedly led police on a pursuit that reached speeds of 120 mph through McHenry County and ended in a fiery crash in Wisconsin Saturday morning.
A McHenry County Sheriff’s Office deputy was on patrol around 2:50 a.m. Saturday when he spotted a vehicle speeding and driving recklessly.
The deputy attempted to catch up to the black 2014 Audi SUV, which was traveling northbound on Route 12 from Fox Lake Road in unincorporated McHenry, according to police radio traffic.
Court records said the vehicle was driven by Brandon M. Jimenez, 34, of Round Lake Heights.
The Audi was traveling approximately 80 mph and a traffic stop was attempted but the driver failed to stop.
A pursuit was initiated and speeds increased to 95 mph. The car was also reported stolen.
A criminal complaint filed in McHenry County Circuit Court alleges Jimenez possessed the stolen vehicle while engaged in a high-speed police pursuit where officers were in a fully marked squad car with lights and sirens activated.
According to police radio traffic, the chase continued northbound on Route 12 at 110 mph past Winn Road in Spring Grove.
Jimenez showed a “willful and wanton disregard for the public” by traveling at 110 mph in a 45 mph zone through the downtown Spring Grove area while other motorists were on the road, the complaint said.
The complaint said he crossed over the double yellow center line at Route 12 and Wilmot Road.
The pursuit was terminated and the deputy continued following but did not see the vehicle anymore.
Nearby law enforcement, including Walworth County, Wisconsin, was notified.
The sheriff’s office located the Audi a short time later traveling 70 mph in the area of Tryon Grove Road and Keystone Road outside of Richmond.
The complaint said Jimenez failed to stop at five stop signs during the chase and went through a red light at Route 31 and Tryon Grove Road.
Jimenez’s driving privileges were revoked at the time of the incident.
Deputies reported the car was “all over the road” in the area of Vanderkarr Road and Kemman Road in unincorporated Hebron, according to police radio traffic.
The driver reportedly briefly stopped in the area of Thayer Road east of Route 47 but got back inside and continued driving.
Deputies continued pursuing the vehicle northbound on Route 47 into Hebron. The chase continued eastbound on Route 173 traveling towards Richmond.
One deputy reported speeds of 122 mph and the Audi was still gaining distance on the deputy past Greenwood Road, according to police radio traffic.
The chase was terminated and the vehicle continued traveling into Richmond, at which time the Richmond Police Department located it and pursued it.
The pursuit went into Genoa City and the vehicle crashed and caught fire. Jimenez fled on foot but was taken into custody after being bitten by a police canine.
Court records show Jimenez was charged in McHenry County with possession of a stolen vehicle, aggravated fleeing to elude, obstructing a peace officer, reckless driving, driving on a revoked license, speeding 35+ mph over limit, improper passing on the left, improper traffic lane usage, disregarding a stop sign and disregarding an official traffic control device.
Jimenez was charged in Walworth County with vehicle operator fleeing to elude, second-degree recklessly endangering safety, driving a motor vehicle without owner’s consent and resisting or obstructing an officer.
Jimenez was transported to the Walworth County Jail following his arrest and remains held awaiting a court hearing.
An active warrant has been issued for him in McHenry County.