Rockdale Body Cam: Stolen SUV Suspect Scuffles With Police

ROCKDALE, IL — The Rockdale Police Department has released dash cam and body camera video footage of last week's arrest of 49-year-old Donald Lee Hudgens, who was in possession of a stolen vehicle, police said.

Rockdale Police Chief Robert Dykstra told Joliet Patch his department of 10 officers has been using body cameras department-wide since 2014.

This week, the Will County State's Attorney's Office charged Hudgens with one felony count of receiving and possessing a stolen motor vehicle and two felony counts of aggravated battery to a peace officer. Bail was set at $350,000.

Rockdale police say a 2009 Ford Escape was reported stolen on Dec. 3 from a Rockdale business in the 100 block of South Connell Street.

Police said that Hudgens, who also lives in the 100 block of Connell Street, emerged as the prime suspect after video surveillance footage was viewed.

Dykstra said the local business owner left the keys to his SUV inside a cup holder and the vehicle was stolen by Hudgens, who the chief described as "a career criminal."

Hudgens had a no-bond parole warrant issued from the Illinois Department of Corrections related to a burglary conviction from 2019, in which he received 6 years of imprisonment, but was released September 15.

Then, on Dec. 8, Rockdale police said that Sgt. Robert Baikie saw Hudgens and one passenger driving the stolen Ford on Wheeler Avenue near Interstate 80. Hudgens pulled into someone's driveway in the 900 block of Morgan Street in Joliet, and he eventually attacked the Rockdale sergeant who was trying to arrest him.

With help from a citizen who saw the incident unfold, Hudgens was captured as he tried to run away, the body camera footage showed.

During his arrest, Hudgens yelled several times that he can't breathe and that he's having a heart attack, according to the Rockdale sergeant's body camera footage.

Hudgens spent four days in a local hospital before being brought to the Will County Jail on Sunday. The chief of police said he did not receive any word from hospital staff as far as whether Hudgens suffered a heart attack as he claimed during his arrest.

"He's a seasoned criminal" who understands it's better to go to the hospital than straight to jail, Dykstra said.

As for the victim, the Rockdale business owner was grateful to get his SUV back in quick fashion, the chief said. The case is a reminder to everyone to not leave your keys inside your vehicle and your car doors unlocked, Dykstra added.

Rockdale police advised social media followers to "please be aware some graphic language is contained in the in-car video and body camera video included with this post."