Armed Man Removes Hospice Patient From Rehab Center: Cops

LONG GROVE, IL — A Buffalo Grove man is facing a felony weapons charge, along with five other charges including battery to a nurse, following a Thursday night incident at a skilled clinical rehabilitation center in Long Grove. David Rahimzadeh, 54, of the 100 block of Navajo Trail, is accused of forcing his way into the center and removing a patient in the hospice section of the facility.

Rahimzadeh, who remains in Lake County Jail on a $50,000 bond, was charged with a felony count of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, and misdemeanor charges of battery to a nurse, violation of the concealed carry act and three counts of aggravated assault, according to the Lake County Sheriff's Office.

Police responded at around 7 p.m. to the rehabilitation center in the 1600 block of Checker Road for a report of a possible abduction. They learned a patient, a 59-year-old man, originally of Buffalo Grove, was admitted to the hospice section of the rehabilitation center. A family member of the man held "power of attorney" status, due the man’s serious medical situation, according to a news release.

Rahimzadeh reportedly arrived at the rehabilitation center just before 7 p.m. Rahimzadeth, who is not a family member of the patient, told staff he was there to take the man home. Staff informed Rahimzadeh that the man was not medically cleared to leave hospice, and further, he could not leave without the authorization from the man’s power of attorney, due to his conditions.

Rahimzadeh then identified himself as a detective, according to the news release, pulled open his jacket, which revealed a badge and firearm on his waist. The staff at the facility immediately called 911 after Rahimzadeh refused to provide his name or police agency.

Rahimzadeh refused to listen to staff, according to police, then without authority went past the staff to the man’s room and escorted him out of the facility, although the man had extreme difficulty moving. As a nurse attempted to block Rahimzadeh from removing the man, Rahimzadeh elbowed her in the chest. Rahimzadeh made it to the car with the man and fled, however, staff were able to obtain Rahimzadeh’s license plate, which registered out of Buffalo Grove.

Buffalo Grove police responded to the address listed to the license plate and located Rahimzadeh. Buffalo Grove police took Rahimzadeh into custody and held him for sheriff’s deputies. The firearm possessed by Rahimzadeh was recovered, according to police.

The man taken from the facility was located and was safe. Police determined Rahimzadeh is a friend of the man. The man called Rahimzadeh, indicating he wanted to leave the facility, according to police. Rahimzadeh then drove to the facility and forcefully removed the man, without authorization.

Rahimzadeh was taken to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division. He is next due in court on Nov. 24.