Crime & Safety
Man Injures Officer Following 5-Car Crash, Gun Incident: Palatine PD
The officer was hospitalized after intervening in a confrontation between people involved in a crash last week.
PALATINE, IL — A Palatine man is accused of two felonies and battering a police officer during an investigation into a multi-car crash last week. James Howard, 26, of the 1500 block of N. Winslowe Drive, was charged with felony aggravated battery to a police officer, aggravated resisting a police officer, and a misdemeanor charge of obstructing a peace officer.
The charges stem from a series of incidents occurring on Thursday, including a car crash previously reported by Patch.
According to police, calls were received at 10:30 a.m. Thursday regarding people in a black SUV pointing handguns at others in the area of Spruce Drive. While responding to the scene, police saw an SUV fitting the description exit from Spruce Drive, onto southbound North Rand Road, at a high rate of speed.
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RELATED: 5-Car Crash Sends 4 People To Hospital With Injuries — Palatine PD
After the SUV passed them, police say officers attempted to change direction to locate the vehicle, as it drove "recklessly" as it entered oncoming traffic on North Rand Road, approaching the intersection of East Dundee Road. After passing southbound through the intersection, the SUV struck multiple cars, including rear-ending another SUV, which rendered the reckless vehicle inoperable.
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A 20-year-old driver of the reckless vehicle sustained an injury and was taken into custody, according to police. A 22-year-old passenger was arrested inside a nearby business after fleeing on foot.
From the scene, officers recovered two loaded handguns, according to police. Both handguns had extended magazines, and one of the handguns appeared to be modified.
During the apprehension of the driver of the black SUV, police said Howard attempted to attack the driver of the black SUV in response to his girlfriend's vehicle being struck. A male Palatine officer intervened and sustained non-life-threatening injuries while taking the man into custody. The injured Palatine officer was taken to an area hospital and later released.
Soft lockdowns were initiated at both Palatine High School and Virginia Lake Elementary School following the incident.
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