A man who recently fled from Wauconda police and allegedly tried to ram a squad car has been taken into custody, police said.
Jamal Bajwa, 30, of Grayslake, was arrested on April 23 after Wauconda police saw him arriving in the 100 block of Roosevelt Avenue in a rideshare.
Three days earlier, police said, Bajwa eluded officers during a high-speed pursuit, during which he attempted to ram officers and ran red lights, endangering the public.
When Bajwa arrived at the Roosevelt address, officers in unmarked cars were waiting to take him into custody. When police saw the rideshare arrive, an officer with a K9 approached the vehicle, and Bajwa was taken into custody without incident, according to reports.
He had a pipe with suspected crack cocaine residue inside, and he was also carrying a switchblade, which he could not legally possess as a convicted felon, police said.
Police said Bajwa admitted fleeing on April 20 because of outstanding warrants. He has been charged with aggravated assault and fleeing and eluding, as well as unlawful weapons possession.
“This arrest highlights the dedication of our officers to public safety and accountability,” Chief David Wermes said. “Criminal activity, especially behavior that puts our community and officers at risk, will not be tolerated in Wauconda.”
Suspect search
A Round Lake Park man fled from a two-car accident that left one of his passengers and another motorist with serious injuries, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities charged Gilberto Santiago, Jr., 43, with aggravated DUI, driving with a suspended license and fleeing.
Police said Santiago was headed south on North Avenue at about 3:30 p.m. on April 25 when he veered into the northbound lane and struck a Nissan Versa being driven by a 70-year-old Zion woman.
The impact caused the rear door of Santiago’s SUV to open, spilling a 43-year-old Zion man to the ground and causing serious injury, police said. The woman driving the Versa was also seriously injured, police said.
When officers arrived, Santiago and three other people in his vehicle had fled. Using a drone and a police dog, officers were able to locate Santiago and one of the passengers. Two others were not located.
Santiago, police said, appeared to be heavily intoxicated.
Car in pond
The recent discovery of a car in a pond in Deer Park sparked an investigation, but the recovered car appeared to be simply an old, abandoned vehicle, according to police.
Authorities were called to the pond near the corner of Deerpath Road and Corners Drive after a maintenance crew discovered the car on April 18. The vehicle was filled with mud and debris, which made removal difficult, police said.
However, the car was ultimately retrieved. Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli of the sheriff’s office said the car appears to have been in the pond for decades. The vehicle was missing its engine, and there were no signs of human remains, police said. The car appears to have been made in the 1950s or ‘60s, police said.
‘Cone with a Cop’
Lake Zurich police are giving the public a chance to meet officers in an informal setting and enjoy a sweet treat at the “Cone with a Cop” event on May 6.
Residents are invited to stop by the McDonald’s at 123 Quention Road from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. for a free ice cream cone and some conversation with local police.
“We hope that community members will feel comfortable to ask questions, bring concerns or simply get to know our officers.” Lake Zurich Police Chief Steve Husak said. “These interactions are the foundation of community partnerships.”
The program, according to police, “aims to advance the practice of community policing through improving relationships between police officers and community members one McDonald’s ice cream cone at a time.”