Chicago man, 21, is accused of pulling cop into vehicle during investigation, driving off and then crashing
A 21-year-old Chicago man was charged Wednesday with aggravated battery of a peace officer and leaving the scene of an accident that caused injury after allegedly pulling an officer into his vehicle during an “investigatory stop” and driving off before crashing, according to Chicago police.
Jonathon Birman, of the 5400 block of North Lowell Avenue, appeared in bond court Wednesday before Judge David Navarro, according to a broadcast of the proceedings on YouTube. He was ordered held on $100,000 bail, of which he must post $10,000 bond to be released.
A news release from police said officers tried to conduct an “investigatory stop” in the 5900 block of West Cornelia Avenue in Portage Park, about 4:45 p.m. Tuesday. Police said they made the traffic stop because the driver allegedly was “wanted on several prior incidents,” but a spokeswoman for police said she did not have access to details about those incidents or whether Birman had active warrants for his arrest.
A prosecutor said the officers saw Birman driving a white 2013 Lincoln MKZ at a gas station in the 6000 block of West Addison Avenue and tried to make contact with him.
“These officers recognized the defendant from prior contacts and approached to investigate prior fleeing and eluding incidents in the 16th and 17th district,” said the prosecutor, Calvin Astrella. From Astrella’s telling, it seemed Birman did not have warrants for his arrest related to those incidents, but authorities wished to speak with him.
When an officer tried to approach Birman, he is said to have ducked away from the officer to get into his vehicle and then pulled the officer into the vehicle on top of himself, according to the prosecutor’s account.
With the officer halfway in the vehicle, Birman allegedly drove off at a high speed and quickly veered to the left, crashing into a fence. The officer suffered bruising to both eyes, and pain in his upper and lower back, Astrella said.
He’s then accused of trying to run from the crash, but was caught and arrested, the police statement said.
“A weapon, ammunition, and narcotics were recovered inside of the vehicle,” according to police.
Birman also was charged with unauthorized use of a weapon and possession of a controlled substance. Prosecutors said an evidence technician found a loaded Smith & Wesson with one live round in it as well as amphetamines in the Lincoln.
Navarro took his time when making a decision, explaining to Birman he was trying to picture the sequence of events as the prosecutor spoke, including the detail that the vehicle was airborne for a short time with two tires leaving the ground as an officer was hanging halfway out of the vehicle.
Birman was represented by an attorney who said Birman is engaged to his longtime fiance, and has two young children and is expecting his third child in the coming months. His attorney said Birman also is responsible for caring for his parents.
“I can try to picture in my mind what the state’s describing: a traffic stop. Police approaching at a gas station. Now an officer’s hanging out of the car as someone’s driving away, and the car is airborne or partially airborne,” Navarro said. “So then what I’m left is to try and assess the threat to the community ... balanced against presumptions of innocence.”
He then set Birman’s bail, noting it was fortunate the officer did not suffer even more egregious injuries.
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