Man Charged In Metal-Pipe Vehicular Hijacking Attempts In Mount Prospect

MOUNT PROSPECT, IL — A 43-year-old man faces multiple felony charges after police said he struck vehicles with a metal pipe and attempted to enter several occupied cars along Rand Road.

Christopher G. Novaczyk, who police listed as currently unhoused, was charged July 23 with three counts of attempted vehicular hijacking, one count of aggravated attempted vehicular hijacking, one count of aggravated battery, two counts of felony criminal damage to property and one misdemeanor count of criminal damage to property.

The charges stem from a series of incidents reported at approximately 12:45 p.m. July 22, near Rand and Mount Prospect roads.

Mount Prospect police said officers received multiple 911 calls about a man approaching occupied vehicles and striking them with a metal pipe.

Novaczyk is accused of trying unsuccessfully to enter several vehicles traveling northwest on Rand Road and damaging multiple vehicles with the pipe.

Two motorists were able to restrain him in the roadway before officers arrived, police said.

Novaczyk was taken into custody and transported by the Mount Prospect Fire Department to a hospital for evaluation.

Officer Injured In Crash While Responding

A Mount Prospect police officer responding to the incident was involved in a crash with another vehicle on Rand Road near the private driveway for Texas Roadhouse, according to the department.

The squad car left the roadway and struck a tree on the north side of Rand Road.

The officer was taken to a hospital and treated for minor injuries. The other driver was also transported to a hospital for a medical evaluation.

Earlier Crashes Reported

Investigators said Novaczyk had caused several crashes before the alleged hijacking attempts.

Police said he was involved in crashes on Euclid Avenue near River Road and Wheeling Road before leaving the area. He also allegedly caused a crash on Rand Road near Henry Street.

No injuries were reported among the occupants involved in those three crashes.

Ordered Detained

Novaczyk appeared at a detention hearing July 24 and was ordered held pending his next court appearance.

He is scheduled to return to court at 9 a.m. Aug. 21 in Room 108 at the Third Municipal District courthouse in Rolling Meadows.