Two Accidents and 125 MPH Through Greenfield in Volkswagen Hatchback

GREENFIELD -- A Waukegan man who was zipping down Greenfield streets at 125 MPH in his Volkswagen hatchback.

Motasem Jihad Abdel-Jaber, 22, of Waukegan, has been charged with felony fleeing an officer and first degree recklessly endangering safety.

According to his criminal complaint, Greenfield police were patroling S. 27th on Aug. 7, when they found two vehicles driving north on 27th at nearly 100 MPH.

Police say the officer closed on both vehicles before they ended up making a U-turn south again on 27th Street near West Holmes Ave. The officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop, and although one of the vehicles - a white Infinity - pulled over, Abdel-Jaber's red Volkswagen sped away.

According to the complaint, he accelerated rapidly, attempting to elude the officer, and was caught on police radar traveling 125 MPH as he approached West Grange Ave.

The red Volkswagen continued to travel southbound on South 27th Street and began to slow down as it approached West Ramsey Avenue. The vehicle proceeded to travel about 75 miles per hour through the construction zone in the 6100 block of South 27th Street.

As the officer caught up to the vehicle it began to accelerate away from him. The vehicle traveled at a high rate of speed through the rest of the construction zone and drove through the red traffic light at South 27th and Rawson Avenue and struck a vehicle at the intersection.

The Volkswagen lost control and traveled southbound and struck a second vehicle. The officer conducted a high risk traffic stop.

The driver exited the vehicle and the officer gave him several commands to place his hands behind his back. The driver was identified as Motasem Abdel-Jabar. After the defendant was placed in the back of the squad the officer asked him if he had a license and he said, “No, that’s why I didn’t stop.”

If convicted, Abdel-Jaber could face up to 10 and a half years behind bars or up to $35,000, in fines, or both, if he is convicted.

Abdel-Jaber is out after signing a $2,500 cash bond. His next appearance in court in Sept. 8.