Kane County Fleeing And Eluding Cases Continue To Rise: Sheriff

Kane County, IL — In recent years, more drivers about to be pulled over for traffic violations are resorting to fleeing and eluding deputies in Kane County. The 21 incidents the Kane County Sheriff's Office dealt with in 2019 doubled to 43 in 2021, officials said Tuesday.

To combat the problem, deputies completed additional emergency driver training and acquired new equipment to help stop cars attempting to flee.

"Over the last three years of my administration, we have worked to create an environment where citizens have no reason to engage in crime through our re-entry services and public vocational training and job placement resources," Sheriff Ron Hain said in a statement. "It is imperative to note that we are here to support all of our community through positive engagement, however, our deputies will relentlessly pursue those who choose to engage in criminal activity in Kane."

Two recent incidents show the improvements are working, according to a news release.

At 2:06 a.m. on New Year's Eve, deputies attempted to stop a car driving with its lights off and accelerating away from cops in the area of French Road and Burlington Road in Hampshire Township. To stop the car near U.S. 20 and Marshall Road, a deputy deployed a disabling device and took the driver, 24-year-old Brandon C. West, into custody, officials said.

The Carpentersville man — who also was wanted for a McHenry County-issued warrant for aggravated fleeing and eluding — was charged with aggravated fleeing and eluding, speeding, driving without lights when required, fictitious registration and cannabis possession by a driver.

Sheriff's deputies were assisted by Hampshire and Pingree Gove police officers in the process, according to the release.

In another incident less than 24 hours later, at 1:37 a.m. Saturday near Bowes Road and McLean Boulevard in South Elgin, deputies attempted to pull over a driver who "refused to stop" and drove off at high speeds.

The driver drove from Elgin to Pingree Grove, where his car collided with a median in the 14N200 block of Reinking Road.

Identified as 24-year-old Christian Turner, of the 1400 block of Green Street in Rockford, the driver fled the scene of the crash but was found and arrested in a nearby neighborhood, officials said. Deputies also arrested two women passengers at the scene, according to the release.

Under the driver's seat of the 2013 Dodge Charger, deputies found a loaded Springfield XD 9mm handgun, which was reported stolen from Chicago, officials said. Turner, who in 2014 was arrested and charged with attempted robbery and aggravated battery to a person over 60, was charged with possession of a firearm while on parole, officials said.

He was also charged with three counts of aggravated fleeing and eluding, unlawful use of a firearm and aggravated use of a weapon.