Thief Backs Open Car Door Into Police Officer During Getaway: Police

An accused thief attempting to flee Walmart in his vehicle after stealing items from the store now faces a battery charge after his car door struck a police officer, authorities said.

Officers were called to Walmart, 2680 N. Illinois Route 83 in Round Lake Beach at 12:34 p.m. on Sunday for a report of a retail theft. The responding officer saw the suspect get into his car and approached the vehicle, opening the door to apprehend the suspect, according to a Round Lake Beach Police Department press release.

At the same time, the suspect began backing up the car to flee, striking the officer with the open car door and knocking him to the ground. The offender then fled the area in his car.

Around 2 p.m. on Sunday, the car was located a home in the 800 block of Seneca Trail in Round Lake Heights. A search was conducted of that home, but the suspect was not located, police said.

The subject has been identified and charges should be obtained later Monday.

The officer received scrapes and bruises, but is doing fine and has returned to work.

Get Patched In

• Get News Alerts, Join Facebook Pages and Learn About Patch