Darien Sex Predator Arrested In Street Racing Investigation

PLAINFIELD, IL — A more than three-month investigation into street racing in Plainfield led to two arrests this week. Videos posted on YouTube and other social media sites led investigators to begin probing "possible criminal activity related to the dangerous operation of motor vehicles" in mid-August, according to Plainfield police. One of the men arrested is a registered sex offender from Darien.

Seven arrest warrants were issued for the other man, 35-year-old Paul R. Powell of the 24000 block of Prairie Grove Drive in Plainfield. Powell was arrested Friday on charges including 15 counts of street racing and one count of child endangerment.

Plainfield Police Chief John Konopek said the investigation began when an officer spotted a YouTube video of Powell's vehicle. In that clip, the vehicle had caught fire, and firefighters could be seen responding to the blaze, police said.

Other videos showing Powell racing were also found on other social media sites, Konopek said. Clips showing children — some pre-teen and some young teenagers — either riding in the car with Powell or standing on the roadside filming races were also found, according to police. Konopek said some of the minors shown in the videos were relatives of Powell's, while other were friends.

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Powell was booked into the Will County jail, and his bond is set at $400,000, meaning he would need to post $40,000 to be released. At least 15 incidents or street racing were documented on video, according to police. All charges are listed as misdemeanors.

The investigation also led to the arrest of a Darien man, 47-year-old Timothy J. Hagan of the 7600 block of Linden Avenue. Konopek said Hagan, a registered sex offender, was also seen taking part in the street races in the social media videos.

Like Powell, Hagan was arrested Friday morning without incident and taken to the Will County jail. Hagan is charged with one count of street racing, and his bond is set at $50,000.

According to the state sex offender registry, Hagan is classified as a sexual predator and was convicted of aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a victim ages 13 to 18 in Will County. He was 37 at the time of the crime. The Will County sex abuse case was investigated by the Lockport Police Department, according to court records.

As of Saturday night, jail record indicated Hagan had posted bond, but Powell remained in custody.

Police said the investigation remains active, and asked anyone with information on the case to contact the Plainfield Police Department at 815-436-6544.

Photos: Timothy Hagan (main photo) and Paul Powell (inset)/photos via Plainfield Police Department