Wounded Man Steals Squad Car, Leads Police on Pursuit

4/25/02
WAUKEGAN, IL. - A man who was shot by police and doused
with pepper spray during a struggle stole a police car and 
led officers on a 5-mile pursuit before being captured early
Wednesday.

The 29-year-old man, who had not yet been identified, was shot
several times in the left arm and torso, said Waukegan Police
Chief Miguel Juarez. The suspect was in critical but stable
condition in Lake Forest Hospital.

The incident began at 5:15 a.m. when the man hopped into the
back seat of a limousine after the driver had just dropped
someone off. The limo driver then called police.

When an officer arrived, the man attacked him with a metal
flashlight and a struggle ensued, Juarez said. The officer 
doused the man with pepper spray, but the man continued to 
struggle. Juarez said the officer shot the suspect as he 
tried to get into the police car.

Despite being shot, the suspect managed to flee in the police car. 
He traveled about 5 miles before pulling over and stopping in Lake
County.

Waukegan and Lake County sheriff's officers were following the car
and stopped after seeing the suspect pulled over. When one officer 
approached the vehicle and tried to pull the suspect out, the man 
accelerated, dragging the officer.

The police car came to a stop near Illinois Highway 176 in Lake 
Bluff after hitting a curb, and the suspect was arrested.

The officer who was dragged and the officer who shot the suspect 
were treated for injuries at a hospital, Juarez said.


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Backup news staff writer Stacey Opland

http://www.thebackup.com/archives_newsdetail.asp?id=356546947