2 Gang Members Charged With Threatening Off-Duty Cop
CHICAGO (STMW) -- Two known gang members allegedly pulled alongside an off-duty Chicago police officer's vehicle as he got off work early Saturday on the West Side, then pointed a gun at him repeatedly while attempting to ram his car off the road.
The passenger, Rolando Leon, 24, of the 1200 block of North Springfield Avenue was charged late Saturday with one felony count of aggravated assault to a police officer while armed with a firearm, police News Affairs Officer John Mirabelli said.
The driver, Jeremy Martinez, 19, of the 2500 block of North Talman Avenue is charged with one felony count of aggravated assault to a police officer and one misdemeanor count of DUI, Mirabelli said.
It began about 5:05 a.m. in the 3800 block of West North Avenue as Martinez pulled alongside the officer's vehicle, while Leon — a convicted felon — pointed a handgun at the off-duty officer behind the wheel, Mirabelli said.
The officer tried to speed away but the men pursued him, repeatedly trying to run his vehicle off the road. The officer was still able to call 911 to report the incident and gave a description.
But the men were able to catch up to the officer's car in the 4200 block of West Division Street and Leon once again reached out and pointed the gun at the officer while the driver tried to ram his car off the street, Mirabelli said.
Responding officers caught up to the location and pinpointed the men. They tried to stop the vehicle and activate their emergency lights but the men tried to speed away, Mirabelli said.
The vehicle was finally curbed in the 800 block of North Lavergne and both were taken into custody.
Martinez was also cited for attempting to flee, reckless driving, not wearing a seatbelt, driving on a suspended license and not having insurance, Mirabelli said
Both men are known gang members in the West Side Humboldt Park neighborhood. Leon is also a convicted felon, police said.
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2010. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
