Dramatic Video: Bank Robbery Suspect Tried Shooting Joliet Police

JOLIET, IL — On Feb. 13, several Joliet officers, led by Sgt. Chris D'Arcy, gathered outside the condominium of Rolling Meadows bank robbery suspect Victor Barakat, and police body camera video obtained by Patch of the arrest highlights the dangers of police work.

The entire body camera footage from D'Arcy's camera can be seen at the bottom of this Joliet Patch exclusive article.

The video shows that when D'Arcy and another officer tried to take the New Lenox used car dealership owner into custody, Barakat pulled out a silver and black Kimber Solo Carry subcompact semi-automatic pistol from his pants pocket.

"The pistol was in his left hand," D'Arcy wrote in his police report. "He then turned it towards myself and the other officers. As Barakat did so, I heard the distinct metallic click that I recognized to be a trigger pull. As Barakat swung the gun to his right, I grabbed his left wrist. While I was grabbing his wrist, other officers took control of Barakat. Barakat was taken to the ground.

"Once on the ground, I could see that Barakat's finger was still in the trigger well of the pistol. I was able to wrestle the pistol out of Barakat's grip and threw the pistol away from him."

According to D'Arcy's report, Barakat's gun had no bullets in the chamber and six bullets in the magazine.

A few minutes later, after two Joliet officers had Barakat handcuffed against the back of a squad car, D'Arcy walked toward them to check on everybody.

That's when Officer Allen Pina hollered, "My gun!"

"Victor, stop it!" D'Arcy announced. "Victor, listen to me."

"My shoulder. My shoulder," Barakat screamed. "You broke my shoulder."

"OK, relax," D'Arcy replied. "Don't be reaching for a cop's gun, you hear me?"

"Yes."

"Stop it. It's all over. Stop it, okay?"

"Okay."

"Do you need an ambulance?"

"Yes, my shoulder hurts."

"Okay," D'Arcy responds. "No more of these shenanigans. You understand me?"

"All right."

"Because that's how people get hurt. So knock it off!"

Here's D'Arcy's report of the second gun incident outside Barakat's condominium on Timber Pointe Drive from the night of Feb. 13:

"As I walked over to check on Barakat and the officers, Officer Pina began to yell that Barakat was grabbing his gun. I could see Officer Pina struggling with Barakat, who was handcuffed behind his back. Officer Pina later indicated that as he was guarding Barakat, he felt a tug on his service pistol that was in holster on his right hip. When Officer Pina looked down, he indicated that Barakat's left hand had a full grip on the handle of his pistol and Barakat was pulling Pina's pistol upward.

"Pina's pistol was never removed from the holster. During that struggle, Barakat indicated his shoulder was injured. JFD Ambulance 7 was summoned to the scene and transported Barakat to St. Joseph's Medical Center for a medical evaluation."

D'Arcy's report of the Feb. 13 incident ended by stating, "When Barakat produced that gun and pulled the trigger during the struggle, I feared for not only my life, but the lives of the officers who were standing with me, including Officer (Alfonso) Sanchez, Officer (Jasmine) Gonzalez, Officer Pina, and Officer (Jack) Desiderio."

Related Joliet Patch coverage:

3 Prior Bank Robberies: Used Car Dealer Served Federal Prison Time

Bank Robbed By New Lenox Car Dealer Who Tried Shooting Joliet Cop: FBI

Bank Robbery Suspect Tries To Shoot Joliet Police Officer: English