Parolee Charged After Chicago Cop Dragged Several Blocks By Van

CHICAGO, IL — A felon on parole has been charged with seven new felonies after an officer was dragged by a van during a traffic stop on Chicago's Southwest Side, police said. The traffic stop happened Tuesday near 59th Street and Western Avenue. Police said officers in a marked squad car stopped the van.

Paris McKinley, 26, of the 7200 block of Park Avenue in suburban Summit, was questioned by police during the traffic stop, police said. The officers noticed a weapon on the van's backseat floor, police said. McKinley allegedly sped off, dragging the officer for several blocks, according to police.

McKinley crashed into the side of a building, hit a gas meter and struck another car, police said. He then ran from the van and police went after him on foot, according to police.

McKinley was found around 20 minutes later near 62nd Street and Claremont Avenue, police said. Police said a weapon was found inside the van.

McKinley was charged with one count of armed violence, one count of being an armed habitual criminal, two counts of unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon on parole, one count of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, one count of aggravating fleeing causing property damage in excess of $300 and one count of leaving the scene of an accident causing injury, police said.

The officer who was dragged was not seriously hurt and was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center where he was listed in good condition, police said.

McKinley was sentenced to six years in prison for a robbery in 2009, then sentenced again in 2014 to seven years in prison for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, according to records from the Illinois Department of Corrections. The records show he was released on parole on Feb. 20.

McKinley was scheduled to appear in bond court Thursday.

Image via Chicago Police Department